Ep 13. Light Challenge

Science Max is a Canadian educational television series that focuses on teaching science in an entertaining way to children. In season 2 episode 13, titled Light Challenge, the host, Phil McCordic takes on a few interesting experiments that explore light, its properties and how it can be manipulated.

The episode kicks off with Phil heading to the Ontario Science Centre to learn about light and how it behaves. He meets up with Dr. Andreas Mandelis, who explains how light can create a picture on our retina, and how it can be used to diagnose health conditions.

After gaining an understanding of the basics, Phil heads back to his lab to start with the experiments. In the first experiment, Phil shows how to make a DIY projector using a simple flashlight, a magnifying glass, and some paper. He then reveals how to make your own camera obscura, which is an optical device that creates an image of its surroundings on a screen.

In the next part of the episode, Phil explains how to make a solar oven. He uses a cardboard box, some aluminum foil, and a plastic sheet to create a contraption that can cook food using solar power. Phil then shows how to make a kaleidoscope using a cardboard tube, mirrors, and colored beads. He explains how the mirrors reflect the light in different directions, resulting in a beautiful symmetrical pattern.

The episode's penultimate experiment sees Phil creating a homemade laser maze game, using a laser pointer and some string. He shows how playing around with the laser can create some cool shadow effects.

The final part of the episode is the Light Challenge, where Phil and a group of young scientists compete in the ultimate light-based obstacle course. The challenge comprises of a range of activities, including making a flashlight using a few basic materials, threading a maze of red laser beams, and assembling a solar-powered device to charge a cell phone.

The contestants also have to identify different objects by their shadows, use mirrors to pass a light beam through a series of obstacle courses, and use a customized periscope to reach a target without actually touching it.

The competition is intense, and the young scientists learn a lot about the properties of light, how it behaves, and how it can be manipulated. Phil hands out points for each challenge based on how well the participants complete the task.

Overall, the Light Challenge episode of Science Max season 2 is an entertaining and educational watch. It teaches children the basics of light, shadow, and reflection, and encourages them to experiment with light themselves. The ultimate light-based obstacle course provides a fun challenge for the young scientists, and the experiments showcased in the episode can be easily replicated at home.