Eye Like It!!
Human beings are able to simplify the study of complex scientific topics by making models. Models help us better understand the world around us! Literally! Take the globe for instance. Globes were created to help us understand the Earth's shape and how to navigate. Models are metaphors for real things that may be difficult to have every day access to or are very expensive.
For example, our plan here for the eyeball allows you to construct the parts of your average eyeball without the inconvenience of going out and getting a real one! So have fun and enjoy your model.
Here's a question for you:
What are the parts of the human eyeball?
There is more to your eye than the parts you can see from the outside. Make a model of your own eye using common household items.
Procedure:
- Draw a black dot in the middle of an 8 in.x8 in. square of plastic wrap. Use a permanent marker. This represents the pupil of the eye.
- Glue a sequin inside the plastic wrap right behind the pupil. The sequin represents the iris of the eye. The plastic wrap represents the sclera or "white of the eye."
- Let the glue dry. You may also use silicone sealant instead of glue. If you use the silicone, you don't have to wait for it to dry.
- Fill the plastic wrap with 2 or 3 tablespoons of hair gel. The hair gel represents the vitreous humor, a liquid found inside your eye. Put it right on top of the iris inside the plastic wrap.
- Keep the gel in the center of the wrap and gather up the top and sides to make a round shape.
- Stick a small, square piece of waxed paper on the end of a four inch piece of pipe cleaner. The pipe cleaner is the optic nerve and the waxed paper is the retina.
- Push the pipe cleaner through the waxed paper and then insert into the gel.
- Use a twisty tie or small piece of string to close the bag and hold the pipe cleaner in place.
- Now you have an eyeball.
See if you can explain your model to a friend.