Benham's Disk Activity - What Colors Do You See?
Grade Level: Grades K - 5
Discipline: STEM
Standards: Florida Standards
1-PS4-2: Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that objects can be seen only when illuminated.
1-PS4-3: Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.
SL.1.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. (1-PS4-1), (1-PS4-2), (1-PS4-3).
In 1894, toymaker Mr. C.E. Benham discovered that a spinning disk with a particular pattern of black and white marks could cause people to see colors. Mr. Benham called his disk an “Artificial Spectrum Top”. Benham’s Top (or Benham’s Disk) has puzzled scientists for over 100 years.
- At the end of this period of instruction, students will have built a replica of Benham’s disk. Students will learn about two different parts of their eye — rods and cones.
- Students will not be expected to remember what rods and cones specifically do, but will have a baseline understanding that there are different parts of the eye responsible for seeing light and dark.
- Students will understand through experimentation that objects or colors that can be seen in light cannot be easily seen in the dark.
Learn more by downloading the activity above.
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