RAINBOW COLLECTORS

RAINBOW COLLECTORS Rainbow Collectors RAINBOW COLLECTORS Organiser’s Card About the activity This activity is designed to get children thinking about colours in nature. Cosmic and Gem see a rainbow at the park, but once the rain stops, the rainbow fades away. Cosmic and Gem are sad that the rainbow has vanished. Aunt Stella thinks that they can make one from the colours that they can see around them. Through this activity you will support your group to: • Think about where they might find different colours • Explore and hunt for different colours in their surroundings • Gather their results and present them as a beautiful rainbow Kit list • Colour-collecting palettes – ideally one between two Use a long white strip divided up into 6 sections to represent a simple rainbow. Mark each section with a coloured dot (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) or you could let children do this after their discussion. Alternatively you can give each group a plate-sized circle of just one of these colours so that they focus on one colour. You need to cover the palette with small pieces of double-sided tape. This is where they are going to stick their rainbow samples. What to do 1. Follow the structure on the ACTIVITY CARD. Make sure that you give children time to talk about their ideas. 2. Read the story. Then get the children to talk to a buddy about the questions and the opinions of Cosmic, Gem and Aunt Stella.. 3. The children will need a colour-collecting palette (see kit list), ideally one between two. 4. Tell the children about going to look for the rainbow. Make it sound like an exciting adventure. 5. Show them examples of the things to collect e.g. bits of flowers and leaves. 6. Remind them that they must stay near their helper. 7. When they return they can share what they have found and create a rainbow by putting their palettes together. These can then be put on display. 8. There are follow up activities for children who have finished or who want to do more finding out at home and earn a bonus sticker.

Things to think about This activity helps children to be more aware of colour in their natural environment. Ideally the activity should focus on natural materials, such as plants, but you can choose to let them add other materials to their palette as well. The activity can take place in any location. It does not need a flower-filled garden or to be out in the countryside. COLLECTORS You may need to encourage children to look carefully to spot the colours. Children may be tempted to pull up whole plants. It helps to show them how to take a tiny sample and stick it in the right place on the palette. . Take it further Talk about which colours are easiest to collect, and why. Can they work out what the colours will be like at different times of the year e.g. more red in autumn, yellow in spring. Keywords • Plants • Flowers • Colour • Nature RAINBOW COLLECTORS Watch out! Ensure that you meet your organisation’s safety requirements for outdoor activity. Children must wash their hands thoroughly after this activity. Some organisations may require the children to wear gloves. Check the area for plants with toxic seeds or plants that might cause irritation. See website for advice - www.britishscienceassociation.org/creststar RAINBOW COLLECTORS British Science Association Registered Charity No. 212479 and SC039236