Making Rainbows with Light

Light experiments develop scientific curiosity and help children understand an everyday phenomenon through hands-on investigation.

• Framework: IPC
• Unit: Rivers, Rocks & Rainbows
• Learning area: Science & Technology
• Level: Levels 1-3

Objectives

• Understand that white light is made up of different colours
• Create a rainbow by splitting light using a prism or water
• Record observations and explain the science behind rainbows

Materials

• Glass prism
• Flashlights or sunlight
• Shallow dish of water and mirror
• White paper or card
• CD or DVD for rainbow reflections
• Science journals

Instructions

Pose the question: 'What makes a rainbow?' Experiment with different methods of creating rainbows: shining light through a prism, angling a mirror in water toward sunlight, and observing the back of a CD. Discuss what all methods have in common (light is being split into its component colours). Children draw and label their observations, noting the order of colours. Discuss when we see rainbows in nature (sunlight + rain).

Educator tip

A sunny day makes this activity magical. If no sun is available, strong flashlights work well with prisms in a darkened room.

Assessment

Observe children's experimental skills, ability to make connections between methods, and accuracy of scientific explanations.

More from Rivers, Rocks & Rainbows

• Watercolour River Landscapes
• Stacked Rock Sculptures
• Rainbow Music & Movement
• River of Kindness
• Famous Rivers of the World
• River Obstacle Course
• Code a River Path
• Counting River Pebbles