The Electromagnetic Spectrum & Light Real-World Case Study | Physical Science | Grades 6–8

This Real-World Case Study asks grades 6–8 Middle School Physical Science students to weigh a real decision about The Electromagnetic Spectrum & Light and defend a solution with evidence.

Scenario: A company called AtlanticLink wants to send huge amounts of data 5,600 kilometers across the Atlantic Ocean. Engineers must use electromagnetic waves to carry the data. Option A is a $320 million undersea fiber-optic cable that sends infrared laser light through glass. The light bounces along inside the glass by total internal… Key question: "How could AtlanticLink combine both options to get the benefits of each?"

What's inside: the scenario, 5 questions to consider, an answer key, arguments for and against for the teacher, and teacher notes.

Resource type: Case Study (.docx). Format: editable Microsoft Word handout with approximately 670 words (~4 pages).

Classroom use: independent response, small-group comparison, and a whole-class debate in a Middle School Physical Science course. Grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.