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Eye In-A-Box

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The Eye-In-A-Box features five stations plus multiple supplemental activities on the eye. At each station, students answer questions on their station notes, which can be collected for assessment or simply used to keep students on task.

Eye station activities:

  1. Anatomy – Students use the eye model and the ophthalmoscope to view each other’s eyes before labeling the anatomy of the eye on a template.
  2. Vision testing – Students use the vision testing chart to test each other’s vision. Students also use the Amsler grid to find the “blind spot” in their vision.
  3. Careers – Students take the roles of health care professionals and decide how they would help the hypothetical patient using techniques commonly used by those professionals.
  4. Braille – Students learn the origin of Braille and what the alphabet looks and feels like. Using cards with clues and Braille words, students try to read the word.
  5. Eye diseases – Students learn about three eye diseases by wearing the simulation goggles and imagining the scenarios they read on accompanying cards.

Extensions to the eye stations include:  

Bill Nye Eyeball DVD and curriculum

OHSU interview film – local middle school students interview OHSU eye health professionals: an orthoptist, an eye surgeon, and an optometrist among others.

Blueprint for Health Eye chart

Eye Facts Poster

“Eye Didn’t Know That” Laminated chart

Country Doctors video This one-hour PBS video was made in rural Oregon about the need for local health care providers.

“Persistence of Vision” Clock or fan

Three simulation goggles – macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts

Life size eyeballs in a box

Eye model

Ophthalmoscope

Wild about Healthy Vision – activities and reproducibles created by the National Eye Institute for learning about eye disease, eye safety, and first aid for eye injuries.

Animal Eyes – Interesting background created by the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology to share with students about how human and animal eyes differ; seeing in the dark; color vision, how the eye works, multiple eyes, and eye positions.

Museum of Vision: Seeing in 3D – Step-by-step activities to teach students about the human visual system and visual perspectives using art techniques. Time and material requirements are detailed.

Vision Curriculum – Three lessons created by the National Eye Institute: The Eyes and the Great Brain Connection! The Imperfect Eye and Eye Safety. Reproducibles for the anatomy of the eye, optical illusions, the visual system, eye safety, and eye-opening facts are included.

Books: