Hands-On Optics Challenges Inspire Future Scientists

What happens when elementary students get the chance to explore optics through hands-on experimentation? At the 2026 Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad, students didn’t just learn about light—they tested it, filtered it, reflected it, and discovered how it behaves.

This article follows IDEX Health & Science Application Scientist Elizabeth Bernhardt, PhD, who volunteered as a supervisor for Photon Phun, a competitive optics event for 4th and 5th grade students.

From directing light beams across multiple mirrors to investigating RGB and CMYK color models, students put scientific concepts into practice through experiments and timed challenges. Semrock optical filters played a central role, giving students an opportunity to explore wavelength and observe firsthand how different filters interact with light.

One memorable moment came when a team of fourth graders examined the three-digit numbers printed on filter rings and worked to determine what they represented. After experimenting and forming hypotheses, one student suddenly realized the answer: nanometers. In another activity, fifth graders stacked red and green filters and discovered why the combination produced no transmitted light—then reasoned their way to the explanation.

These moments demonstrate the power of experiential STEM education. Rather than simply memorizing concepts, students developed scientific intuition by observing results, asking questions, testing ideas, and collaborating with teammates.

Read how Photon Phun turned optics into an engaging discovery—and how experiences like these can inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.