The One That Didn't Get Away

In this activity, students investigate the refraction of light. They explore what happens to a beam of light when it passes through transparent materials, and how refraction can affect the appearance of objects. The ways in which Indigenous cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, use scientific knowledge to accurately spear fish in fresh and salt water provides context for the latter inquiry. Students also design a device that helps people account for refraction when fishing in salt water and investigate how other organisms, including archerfish, accommodate for refraction to survive.