Science and the Arts Course
We've had three illuminating sessions of our newest integrated arts course, Science and the Arts with Kirk Fisher. Weeks 1 and 2 we delved into the principles of light with a visually informative Powerpoint presentation, several hands-on experiences and art projects. Week 1 we learned that light is made of wavelengths that our brain perceives as color, and that each color has its own frequency. We experimented with mixing colors and learned that the primary colors of light [red, green, blue] differ from what artists typify as primary colors [red, yellow, blue]. We saw how mixing colored light also differs from mixing colored paints.
Week 2 we continued our look at light and the concepts of reflection, refraction, and diffraction. We learned that reflections form when the bounces off a surface, and refraction occurs when light bends as it travels through different materials (a pen placed in a cup of water appears to bend). The kids most enjoyed looking at diffraction, or interference in rays of light that causes the rays to separate into the spectrum of colors, through diffraction glasses, a prism, and by shining a flashlight through the fine barbs of a feather. The kids then each made their own "whirl stick," an art-toy that mixes light by spinning the rainbow colors so fast they appear to glow a greyish white.
With Earth Day in mind, for week 3 we focused on scientific and artistic properties of molecules and water. We learned that molecules are made of combinations of atoms and that the water molecule is made of 2 hydrogen and one oxygen atoms. We compared molecules to magnets and learned that molecules have positive, negative, or neutral charges that attract or repel other molecules. We learned why lipids (fats or oils) and water repel, and then we saw this first hand with jars of water, vegetable oil, and food coloring. We added soap to see how these repellent properties can mix when their charges are balanced. Then the kids painted posters for our upcoming Earth Fair with themes of water conservation, observing first hand the repelling of water and oil as they drew first with crayons and then water-colored over their designs.
Week 2 we continued our look at light and the concepts of reflection, refraction, and diffraction. We learned that reflections form when the bounces off a surface, and refraction occurs when light bends as it travels through different materials (a pen placed in a cup of water appears to bend). The kids most enjoyed looking at diffraction, or interference in rays of light that causes the rays to separate into the spectrum of colors, through diffraction glasses, a prism, and by shining a flashlight through the fine barbs of a feather. The kids then each made their own "whirl stick," an art-toy that mixes light by spinning the rainbow colors so fast they appear to glow a greyish white.
With Earth Day in mind, for week 3 we focused on scientific and artistic properties of molecules and water. We learned that molecules are made of combinations of atoms and that the water molecule is made of 2 hydrogen and one oxygen atoms. We compared molecules to magnets and learned that molecules have positive, negative, or neutral charges that attract or repel other molecules. We learned why lipids (fats or oils) and water repel, and then we saw this first hand with jars of water, vegetable oil, and food coloring. We added soap to see how these repellent properties can mix when their charges are balanced. Then the kids painted posters for our upcoming Earth Fair with themes of water conservation, observing first hand the repelling of water and oil as they drew first with crayons and then water-colored over their designs.
Labels: Science and the Arts course
posted by Enicia Fisher at 4:29 PM
1 Comments:
This sounds like a great experience for everyone involved. I especially like the mixing of the colors of light and comparing them to the primary colors of artists. Keep up the great work.
Post a Comment
<< Home