I developed an hour-long art and science event titled, “Why is Purple Purple.” One of the goals of Science is Elemental is to bring science to all of the other activities that kids do. I aimed this event at young people fascinated by the arts.

My hope is to bring Why is Purple Purple to art studios, camps, and classes. In this way, I can connect future visual artists of the world to the science behind the colors they use. I contacted some summer camps, including the one my own arts-oriented daughter attended to see if they are interested.

Locally, the CEO and master teacher at Art Play Learn, in Laurel MD, Meredith Kaunitz, invited me to beta test Why is Purple Purple with some of her students.

Why is Purple Purple

The activity explores, in a fun, active way, the physics behind light and color. Students use jump ropes to create standing waves so that we can talk about wavelength and frequency. I show a picture of the electromagnetic spectrum to start a discussion of different wavelengths and their physical manifestations. The children then act out the spectrum, each moving at a “relative” speed related to the frequency and energy of the different categories of wavelengths. In addition to getting some of their energy out, this gives them a physical sense of the difference in wave motion of the different parts of the spectrum. The child “playing” gamma rays tires pretty quickly!

We also explore the visual light spectrum with prisms. This leads to a discussion of the difference between light and pigments. That leads, in turn, to a discussion of the chemical nature of pigments.

In the last physical exercise, I have the kids stand still, then step up onto a platform and note the energy required. I explain that the structure of colored pigments causes an absorption of light in particular wavelengths with particular energy. The other wavelengths not absorbed are reflected, resulting in the colors we see.

Art Play Learn

Art Play Learn provides in-person and virtual classes to children, teens and adults. CEO Meredith’s goal is to change the world through education. She works hard to find the world’s best teachers, to empower them to share their brilliance with the world and to find students for them to share their brilliance with. Classes include: Languages, art, music, theater, and many others.

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