Two learners and a facilitator drip water onto a tissue to diffuse ink

Color

A collection of resources about color, including chemistry, dyes, structural color, and iridescence. Also included are links to STEM coloring books and sheets for free download.

Color is the way we perceive different wavelengths of visible light. When light shines on an object, the object absorbs some wavelengths and reflects others. The reflected light enters our eyes, where it is detected by special cones cells in the back of our eyes. Our brain then interprets these signals as different colors.

Chemistry of Color

Group of learners examine color diffusion on various papers

Chemistry is Colorful

In this activity, learners try to solve the mystery of which ink came from what marker by using colorful paper chromatography.
Three learners and a facilitator compare their dye colors to a PH scale

Nature of Dye

In this activity, learners create their own dyes and art while exploring how chemicals interact.

Iridescent and Structural Color

Exploring Materials - Thin Films activity components including signs, activity materials and guides.

Exploring Materials - Thin Films

In this activity, learners create a colorful bookmark using a super thin layer of nail polish on water.
two children looking at Blue Morpho butterfly

Exploring Structures - Butterfly

In this activity, learners investigate how butterfly wings get their color and that some wings get their color from the nanoscale structures on the wings instead of pigments.
Looking at an opal through a scanning electron microscope

Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals

In this activity, learners will be exposed to the term ‘Photonic Crystals,' explore some of the well-known photonic crystals in nature and will also be able observe one method that scientists use in trying to replicate this process.
Closeup photo of Blue Morpho Butterfly

Butterfly Blues video

In this O Wow Moments video, Mr. O talks about iridescence and Blue Morpho butterflies.
Lady in pink shirt stands in the path of a cluster of bubbles

What’s Nano About Bubbles?

In this 30-second video, viewers quickly learn about the rainbow of colors seen in bubbles.
Liquid crystal display activity components including signs, guides, craft materials, safety gear, and liquid crystal material

Exploring Products - Liquid Crystal Displays

In this activity, learners investigate temperature-sensitive liquid crystal sheets and liquid crystal displays from a calculator.
image of a handprint that was created using heat sensitive liquid crystals suspended in thermal paper

Exploring Materials - Liquid Crystals

In this activity, learners will investigate the properties of a heat sensitive liquid crystal and make their own liquid crystal sensor to take home.
A person puts a liquid on a substrate which is on top of a DIY spin-coater.

Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs): Cart Version

In this activity, learners explore OLEDs through presentations and a spin coater demonstration. Instructions are included for facilitators to pre-make the OLEDs and the spin coater.
Child holding squares of red stained glass colored by nano gold

Exploring Materials - Nano Gold

In this activity, learners discover that nanoparticles of gold can appear red, orange or even blue.
Person's hand resting a Stained Glass window

Nanoparticle Stained Glass (cart demo)

In this activity, learners make a collaborative stained glass window and a take-away card with pre-made nanoparticle solutions containing silver or gold
Paint tubes and a paint brush on top of paper colored with blue paint

Interference Acrylics: Painting with Structural Color

In this activity, learners explore structural color by comparing acrylic paint and interference acrylic paint

Colorful Electromagnetic Spectrum Activities

A family looks at an image through a blue filter

Exploring the Universe: Filtered Light

In this activity, learners discover how colored filters can help reveal more about an image and we can use light and filters to learn more about an object.
a group of learners build UV color changing beaded bracelets

Exploring Properties - UV Bracelets

In this activity, learners use ultraviolet light to change the color of beads that contain photochromic dye.

Related Collections of Resources

Polarized Light activity with hands holding paper and polarizing tape materials up to the window

Light

A compilation of public engagement activities that explore light visible to our eyes and other wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum.
A model of the intense magnetic fields around the Sun

Telescopes and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

We use special tools to detect things far away that we can't see with just our eyes. Many tools use different wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) including visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, and radio waves. Other tools may detect magnetism—such as the magnetic field lines around the surface of the Sun.
Child in a red shirt with a preserved butterfly

Butterflies

A collection of resources about butterflies that can be integrated into other programs or exhibits on butterflies. These butterfly activities and resources focus on light, color, iridescence, pigmentation versus structural color, and technology inspired by nature.
Children looking at Gecko with magnifying glass

Biomimicry

A collection of biomimicry resources and examples of how technology can imitate natural phenomena and processes. Public engagement biomimicry activity examples include: self-cleaning surfaces and fabrics inspired by the lotus leaf effect observed in some plant leaves, sticky materials inspired by gecko feet, photonics crystals using structural color similar to the iridescent properties of some insects, bird feathers, and shells.

More Colorful Hands-on Activities

Girl using paint in nebula spin art activity

Exploring the Universe: Nebula Spin Art

In this activity, learners create their own colorful model nebula using paint and a spinner.
A colorful etching of the sun in tin foil with a string laced through the top in a loop.

Ancestral Astronomy

In this activity, learners make their own space-themed artwork with foil and cardboard, and colored markers.

Representative Color Images

representational image of lunar surface

What’s with the colorful images?

Sun, Earth, Universe is an engaging and interactive museum exhibition about Earth and space science for family audiences. Scientists use representational color in images to highlight many different types of data collected by NASA satellites and spacecraft.
representational image of lunar surface

¿Cuál es la razón de las imágenes de colores?

Sol, Tierra, Universo es una interesante exposición interactiva sobre la Tierra y la ciencia del espacio para familias.

More Color Hands-on Activities

Science Coloring Books 

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