Exploring Color with STEAM

S.T.E.A.M. is an acronym and buzz word in education:

S - Science (experiments, observations, predictions, inquiry skills)
T - Technology (using tools, being inventive, understanding how things work)
E - Engineering (solving problems, designing and building things that work)
A - Arts (creativity, design, open ended activities, music and language arts)
M - Math (sequencing, patterning, matching, exploring shapes, volume, and size)

When we integrate STEAM into everyday play and learning we help support and encourage the innovators of tomorrow!

This winter we explored COLOR with a STEAM lens.  Check out our awesome projects!

 
Psychedelic Snowflakes

When the plants and skies start to look gray and dreary outside, it's time to bring more color to our inside projects. These snowflakes were inspired by Babble Dabble Do - a great resource for creative activities that include a STEAM curriculum.

These snowflakes provide a great hands-on way to work with fractions!

Step 1: Take a coffee filter and fold it in 1/2.

Step 2: Fold it in 1/2 again.

Step 3: Fold it again in 1/3.

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Step 4: Cut out various shapes.  Sharp scissors help this process, help younger children with the cutting as needed.

Step 5: Dip the corners into different colors of liquid watercolor.  The kids loved watching the color absorb up into the paper.

Step 6: Carefully unfold your snowflake and observe the different colors and patterns.

Learning about the Color Wheel with DIY Color Spinners

We made these paper spinners by Red Ted Art for a fun way to learn about Color Theory and incorporate STEAM principles.

On one side of the spinner was the basic color wheel and the kids designed their own colors and patterns on the other side.

When spinning you can really see how the red/yellow rim turns orange, the blue/yellow goes a light green and the red/blue turns a bright purple!

When this color spinner is going fast enough it actually appears as white.

White light is made up of all the colors of the rainbow!

Exploring CD's with Flashlights to See How Refraction Creates Colors

Challenge - Discover how a flashlight works by taking it apart and putting it back together.

Combining Primary Colors to Create Secondary Colors

Turn natural materials into interesting paintbrushes!  Notice the different textures created by the materials.

Red and yellow make ORANGE!

These oil and watercolor projects were a great experiment in learning how oil and water don't mix... and they produced a beautiful effect.

Red and blue make PURPLE!

We used this art spinner to mix blue and yellow.  The kids were fascinated as the centrifugal forces drew the wet paint outwards, creating intricate designs.

Blue and yellow make GREEN!

Rainbow Milk Science Experiment 

The molecules of soap interact with the fat molecules of milk and disperse the food coloring into beautiful swirls.  Check out Steve Spangler Science for detailed instructions to try at home.  The kids ask to do this experiment over and over :)

“Every kid starts out as a natural born scientist.”
Carl Sagan

By dipping paper into the milk swirl you can create amazing marbled milk art!

Geometry Collage

We put together different colors of rectangles, squares, and triangles into our own unique designs.

"Two triangles is the same as a square!"

Without even realizing it, the kids are learning basic principles of geometry and how shapes and area interact.

Color Matching

We loved these fun cards and looked for matching colors in our environment.

Self Portraits with Color

We used mirrors and watercolors to create these fun self portraits.

ABC's with Rainbow Kids Yoga

We identified different letters and then spelled some of our favorite colors.

Here we are spelling BLUE!

B

L

U (hint - the U is upside down)

E

And here we are spelling RED!

R

E

D

Rainbow Chakra Affirmation Song!

Red - I'm Powerful
Orange - I'm Joyful
Yellow - I know I can
Green - I'm Loving
Indigo - I'm Smart
Violet - I'm Understanding
I'm a Rainbow!

Engineering with blocks, tires, ramps, and balls!

Technology - These Snap Circuits are a really fun way to introduce more advanced technology projects.

Cooking is a wonderful STEAM activity!

Science - Observing changes when combining wet and dry, and applying heat
Technology - Using tools; whisks, blenders, scoops, ovens
Engineering - What's the most efficient way to get the mix into the muffin pan?
Arts - Presentation, choosing ingredients, celebrating customs
Math - Measuring, volume, counting, following a sequence

Check out the recipe for these superfood Applesauce Muffins on our May 2016 blog!

Take a look at this STEM Guide from the Boston Children's Museum for lots of ways you can incorporate STEM and STEAM learning at home!

Happy STEAMing!