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Bike Shop 3-5 / Week 09 / Bike Shop Day
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Week 09 · Be Seen

Bike Shop Day

Bike Shop Day: Flashlight Test
// Light, reflectors and bright colors
⏱ about 15 min

Bike Shop Day: Flashlight Test

The family dims the lights in the shop. A grown-up holds the flashlight.

Rocket lines up a spoon, foil, a sock, a reflector and a bright sticker.

"Which one bounces the most light back to us?" he asks.

Raven grins. "What do you notice? Let's test and see!"

Nova hovers beside the beam. "Keep it fair," she says. "Same light, same spot."

  1. We see things when light reflects off them and enters our eyes.
  2. Smooth surfaces reflect like a mirror. Rough surfaces scatter light.
  3. Dark colors absorb light. Bright and fluorescent colors are easier to see.
  4. Bike reflectors send light back the way it came.
  5. A light makes its own light. A reflector needs light shining on it.
◇ FAMILY FLASHLIGHT TEST
Make a room dim, with enough light to move safely.
Line up the test materials on a table or the floor.
A grown-up stands in one spot and holds the flashlight.
Shine it at one material at a time, from the same spot.
Everyone stands near the flashlight and looks.
Rate how bright each one looks: 1, 2 or 3.
Record your ratings in your Bike Shop Notebook.
Safety first
Never shine the flashlight into anyone's eyes.
Use a small flashlight, not a laser.
Clear the floor so no one trips in the dim room.
No reflector at home? Test foil, a spoon and bright paper.
MaterialHow bright it looked (1, 2 or 3)
spoon
foil
sock
reflector
bright sticker
FLASHLIGHT TEST REVIEW
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Why does everyone stand near the flashlight?
What keeps the test fair?
Where should a flashlight never be pointed? Type one word.
WHY THIS EXERCISENever shine a light into anyone's eyes.

Shining work, team! Next week we play detective and find out how a bike tire goes flat.

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