Mixing Colors Science Project: Pattern Projectors

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Science and Art combine in this beautifully fun mixing colors science project ~ Pattern Projectors. This project comes from the brand new book, STEAM Play & Learn by Ana Dziengel from Babble Dabble Do.

These pattern projectors are the perfect STEAM project to teach kids about mixing colors.

How to Make the Pattern Projectors:

You will need the following supplies to make this project:

• Clear plastic lids – ours are from cans of cornstarch, but Pringles can lids would work well, too! You will need 2 lids for each projector.
• Colored craft sticks– 2 for each projector (We love the ones from Craft Project Ideas!)
• Permanent markers in a variety of colors
• Nuts and bolts- each bolt will need 3 nuts
• Hot glue gun
• Flashlight
• Sharp knife

Give kids the markers and plastic lids and let them color and decorate in all kinds of patterns.

Using a sharp knife cut a small hole in the center of each lid.  Hot glue the sticks to the lids.

Attach a nut to the bolt and insert it through one lid, screw on another nut and add the second lid, then attach a third nut. Do not screw them too tight or the lids will not spin.

How to Use the Pattern Projectors for Mixing Colors:

Find an empty wall in a darkened place. Shine the flashlight through the projectors. You may need an extra set of hands for this part. While the light is shining through, you can turn the sticks to make the colored patterns move and change like a kaleidoscope!

We got a lot of ooh’s and aah’s over this as we watched the colors swirl around on the wall. It’s a really cool project!

This project is just one of the awesome ideas from the awesome book STEAM Play & Learn.

Want more Fun Color Science ideas?  Check out these ideas:

Color Mixing With Light
Play Dough Color Mixing
Color Mixing in Bubble Wrap
Color and Light Experiments with a Light Box