Colour and Light

A Drop of Science

In this cross-curriculum project (Science and Art), students from two schools come together to study the science of colour and light.

Through the exploration of colour and the luminescence of minerals and crystals, the students produce work that shows how a natural pigment can change the colour of light it reflects, as the result of selective colour absorption. The physics of colour in a mobile vehicle is studied, where students are saturated in pure colour to experience how it affects your body and emotions.

Students learn about light as an energy source by creating solar powered vehicles and use the science of paper chromatography to identify polluted water. Using everyday materials the students make handheld pin-hole cameras, while the whole science lab is made into a giant camera obscurer.

The students studied the chemical composition of fireworks, make their own fireworks, and capture the explosion in sculptural form. The whole project culminates in an exhibition and performance of light and colour of which the students have complete ownership and directorial control.

The cross-curriculum dimensions explored in this project are Identity and Cultural Diversity; Technology and the Media; Creativity and Critical Thinking.

The value of this work, carried out as a linking project, has been the subtle exploration of personal and collective identities, through the shared intensity of the work.

Careful planning by the teachers ensures that team-building activities and a range of additional reflective learning experiences are included in the cumulative process throughout the year.