Matrix
[KS3: Light 8h],
[KS4: Waves and Radiation]
Background
The concluding part to the hugely popular Matrix Trilogy -
The Matrix Revolution - is now showing at cinemas across the
UK. In this activity pupils design and build models of a new
special effect for the Matrix. They construct a 'film set' and in
the process, using drinking straws to represent beams of light,
show how light travels and how it is reflected and refracted.
Curriculum link
KS3: Light - 8h - reflection, refraction, and absorption of different colours of light by surfaces.
KS4: Waves as Radiation: similar contexts
Equipment needed (for each group)
A4 card - to print the pdf files onto - so the backgrounds and characters can stand up properly
Blutak or glue to stick the model together
3 drinking straws, plus (optionally) one red, green and blue straw for activity 4.
Craft knife, or scissors, to make small holes in the card (to attach the straws)
Optional: camera - to take photos of the pupils' models, in preparation for later explanations
Running the activity
First, set the scene for this starter and main activity by talking about the Matrix, and its special effects.
If you can, show a trailer for the movie.
Then tell pupils to imagine that they are helping to design special effects for the first film of a new
Matrix series.
The scenario is:
Agent Smith has chased Neo to the 22nd floor of the building. Neo is hiding on the far side of a huge
concrete wall. Neo has new powers that will help him spot his enemy, to avoid him. He can send out
beams of light rays, which we will 'see in the film.
Next, give out page 1. This gives the instructions for the task, and tells pupils how to use the cutouts on
pages 2, 3, 4 and 5 to build models to show what happens next. They will build two different scenes,
showing how the beams:
bounce off walls (reflect)
pass through concrete as if it were glass (refract)
Ask pupils to think about getting the angles of light correct
Having made the models, pupils can explain (as if to the special effects people) how the science works.
Activity 4 is an extension activity that looks at the colour of light. Agent Smith can now send out white
light (a combination of red, green and blue straws). Pupils model how this reflects off the walls and
suggest that Neo could avoid this, by turning himself blue or red.
You could take photos of the models for display.
Web links
The official Matrix website includes trailers, storyboards and lots of 'behind the scenes' information:
http://whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com/