Laser Security System is an engineering design-based STEM curricular unit. The unit aims to facilitate the learning of major science and mathematical concepts and skills within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) respectively. The unit includes teacher guides, class activities with solutions, and assessment guidelines. 

Grade Level: 6-8

Approximate Time Needed to Complete Unit: Ten to fourteen 50-minute class periods

Unit Summary: Laser Secure, Inc., designs security systems to protect valuable assets, and the company is seeking help from students to design a laser security system to protect the artifacts in a traveling museum exhibit. In this engineering-driven STEM unit, students will investigate the properties of light, including reflection, refraction, absorption, and transmission. Based on the data they collect throughout the unit, students will make evidence-based decisions to design, test, and improve prototype security systems.

List of Lessons:

• Lesson 1: Design Challenge Introduction
  • Objectives: (1) Identify the steps of the engineering design process; (2) Explain the engineering problem they will be solving.
• Lesson 2: Waves and Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Objectives: (1) Identify the amplitude, frequency, and wavelength of waves; (2) Explain how the wavelength and frequency of light affect the color and energy level of light; (3) Explain why the light emitted by a flashlight appears different from the light emitted by a laser pointer.
• Lesson 3: Light Propagation 
  • Objectives: (1) Explain that light travels in a straight line and spreads out as it moves away from its source; (2) Explain the difference between absorption and transmission.
• Lesson 4: Intro to Reflection and Refraction
  • Objectives: (1) Define reflection and refraction; (2) Identify different types of lenses and how light acts when it passes through them.
• Lesson 5: Reflection/Refraction Simulation
  • Objectives: (1) Describe how to use a protractor to measure angles; (2) Explain the law of reflection; (3) Explain that the speed of light depends on the medium through which it is traveling and connect this to the angle of refraction.
• Lesson 6: Reflection/Refraction Experiments and Data Collection
  • Objectives: (1) Use a protractor to measure angles; (2) Explain their observations of reflection and refraction.
• Lesson 7: Plan/Build/Test
  • Objectives: (1) Design a laser security system that incorporates their knowledge of reflection, refraction, absorption, and transmission of light; (2) Engage in evidence-based reasoning to select the design that best addresses the criteria and constraints of the design challenge; (3) Construct a model laser security system that meets the criteria and constraints defined by the client; (4) Provide constructive design feedback to their peers; (5) Identify ways to improve their initial security system designs.
• Lesson 8: Redesign
  • Objectives: (1) Design a laser security system that incorporates their knowledge of reflection, refraction, absorption, and transmission of light; (2) Use peer feedback and their own observations to improve their design; (3) Construct a model laser security system that meets the criteria and constraints defined by the client; (4) Use evidence to justify whether their design meets the client’s criteria and constraints.
• Lesson 9: Summative Assessment
  • Objectives: (1) Explain how they utilized the engineering design process within the context of the design challenge; (2) Identify the amplitude and wavelength of waves; (3) Explain why the light emitted by a flashlight appears different from the light emitted by a laser pointer; (4) Explain the difference between absorption and transmission; (5) Apply the law of reflection to predict the angle of reflection when given an angle of incidence; (6) Explain the difference between reflection and refraction.

Unit Standards:

• NGSS: MS-PS4-1, MS-PS4-2, MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3, MS-ETS1-4.
• CCSS: 4.MD.C.5, 4.MD.C.6, 6.SP.A.2, 6.SP.B.5, 7.RP.A.2, 7.G.A.2, 7.G.A.1, 8.EE.A.4, 8.G.A.1, 8.G.A.5.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant NSF DRL-1238140. Any opinions, findings and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Patrick Crawford, Erin Fenlon, Corbin Rice, Amanda Johnston, Jeanna Wieselmann, Felicia Leammukda, Kerrie Douglas, Tamara J. Moore (2022), "Laser Security System: An EngrTEAMS Curricular Unit," https://nanohub.org/resources/36136.

  BibTex | EndNote

1. engineering design
2. EngrTEAMS
3. has CCSS
4. has NGSS
5. K-12
6. lasers
7. Light propagation
8. light waves
9. middle school
10. physical science
11. precollege
12. STEM
13. teaching and learning