Explore Light & Energy

Step 1 · Learn it

Energy changes form

Energy is not used up. It moves and changes form — from sunlight to heat, from movement to electricity.

Step 2 · See it

Watch light bend

Use the simulation to send light from air into water, then into glass. Note which one bends it more.

• From PhET Interactive SimulationsExplore

  Bending light

  How light bends, reflects and separates into colours.

  • Junior High · Senior High
  • 20 min
  • High data
  • Internet needed
  • Larger screen is easier

  Why Lovia recommends this: Shows exactly why a stick looks broken in water — a question learners actually ask.

  What to do: Try water, then glass. Note which bends the light more.

  Start LearningOpens trusted learning resource

  Learning resource from PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder. Rights: Link only. Last checked 2026-09-10.

Step 3 · See it

See energy move

Follow one unit of energy from the sun all the way to a light bulb.

• From PhET Interactive SimulationsExplore

  Energy forms and changes

  Watch energy move and change form between heat, movement and electricity.

  • Junior High · Senior High
  • 20 min
  • High data
  • Internet needed
  • Larger screen is easier

  Why Lovia recommends this: Makes the idea of energy transfer visible instead of abstract.

  What to do: Follow one unit of energy from the sun to the light bulb. Describe every step.

  Ghana connection: Trace the same path for a solar panel on a roof in Ghana.

  Start LearningOpens trusted learning resource

  Learning resource from PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder. Rights: Link only. Last checked 2026-09-10.

Step 4 · Try it

Measure the sun's heat

Put one container of water in sun and one in shade. Compare after an hour.

• Lovia OriginalExplore

  Explore Solar Energy

  Measure how the sun heats water in different containers, and explain the difference.

  • Junior High · Senior High
  • 45 min
  • Text only
  • Works offline
  • No device needed

  Why Lovia recommends this: Solar energy is visible daily in Ghana; measuring it turns a familiar thing into evidence.

  What to do: Fill two identical containers with the same amount of water. Put one in shade, one in sun. Compare after one hour. Safety: do not touch hot containers with bare hands.

  Ghana connection: Relates directly to solar panels, solar water heating and drying crops in the sun.

  For Teachers

  Use the instructions above — no link needed.

  Lovia Original — created by Lovia School. Rights: Open licence. Last checked 2026-09-10.

Step 5 · Ghana connection

Solar power in Ghana

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using the same idea. Trace that path and name each energy change.

Step 6 · Check my learning

Check my learning

Name three energy changes between the sun and a charged phone.