Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library: Combine Art And Engineering To Create Your Own Kaleidoscope

Evansville IN

16 June, 2022

11:10 AM

Description

Press release from the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library: June 14, 2022 This simple DIY kaleidoscope can be made with materials you most likely have at home. This project combines art and optics to lead to tons of customizable fun! Use this project to explore multiple areas of STEAM and experiment together. Want more? Check out these titles on Hoopla: Stomp Rockets, Catapults, And Kaleidoscopes and Light. Materials needed Toilet paper tube Decorating supplies Ruler Scissors 1 bendy straw Blank white paper Mirror paper Instructions Questions to ask Will your kaleidoscope work with any kind of shiny surface? Take out the mirror paper and try the experiment with aluminum foil instead. What different patterns can you make in the kaleidoscope by drawing on the circle? Flip your circle over and try different shapes and colors to test them out. How does light affect how well your kaleidoscope works? Will it still work in the dark? Try out different lighting to find out! How it works Your kaleidoscope works by reflecting light! Most kaleidoscopes have at least two mirrors inside that are placed at an angle so part of their reflection overlaps. Light filters through the materials at the end of the tube (your paper circle). When the light hits the mirror paper, it bounces back or reflects. The reflections then bounce off the other mirrors, creating amazing patterns inside the tube. Kaleidoscopes were invented in 1816 by Dr. David Brewster and patented to be used as a toy and an inspiration for artists in the following year. Kaleidoscopes are still used for fun over 200 years later! This press release was produced by the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library. The views expressed here are the author's own.