Things to think about

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 22

Rainbow Collectors Activity Card It’s a wonderful sunny day. Cosmic and Gem have gone to the park with Aunt Stella. They have had fantastic fun whizzing down the slide. Now they are going on the swings. Suddenly splish, splash, tiny raindrops start to fall. RAINBOW COLLECTORS RAINBOW COLLECTORS “Oh dear,” says Gem. “Oh dear,” says Cosmic. But Aunt Stella simply smiles and points behind them. There across the sky is a rainbow. It is the most beautiful rainbow that they have ever seen. “Wow!” Cosmic and Gem whisper to each other, afraid that if they speak too loudly the rainbow will go away. But then, as quickly as it had started, the rain stops. Gradually the rainbow fades away. Cosmic and Gem look sad. “Don’t worry,” says Aunt Stella. “Look around you. There’s green grass and yellow buttercups. The world is full of colours. You can be rainbow colour collectors and make your own rainbow.” I wonder if they can? Perhaps we can help them. Have you seen a rainbow? Which colours did you see? Do you think that Cosmic and Gem can find all the colours of the rainbow? Your challenge Can you help Cosmic and Gem find all the colours of the rainbow? 23