On March 26, 2025, Keiki Labs had the pleasure of hosting a Light Science Workshop at the Hawai‘i Keiki Museum (HKM). The day was filled with hands-on activities that illuminated the wonders of light for young scientists from grades 1 through 8.
Session 1: Discovering Light
Our journey began with an exploration of the fundamental question: What is light? Participants examined how white light comprises seven visible spectra. Using prisms, they observed the dispersion of sunlight into a spectrum of colors, unveiling the hidden hues within white light. The young scientists then crafted their own light spectrometers using compact discs, allowing them to observe and draw the light spectra from various sources, including the sun and different types of artificial lighting. This activity was inspired by the work of Kumiko S. Usuda and Catherine M. Ishida from the Subaru Telescope, NAOJ, and originally developed by Eiichi Yoshida of Takarazuka East High School, Japan.
Session 2: The World of Colors
In the second session, we delved into the relationships between colors and the concept of white light formed by three primary colors. At the light adding-subtracting station, participants observed how combining different colored LEDs—red, green, and blue—can produce white light. Discussions on how our eyes perceive light and colors led to an engaging craft activity where the keiki created their own color wheel toys, applying flywheel engineering concepts to see colors blend as the wheels spun.
Session 3: Light at Work
The afternoon session focused on light’s interaction with various materials. Through a series of light illusions, participants observed phenomena such as the apparent bending of straws in water and the reversal of arrows when viewed through a jar of water. These activities demonstrated principles of refraction and reflection in an accessible and engaging manner. The workshop concluded with a bubble-making activity, where the keiki created bubble wands and observed the colorful films, exploring how light interacts with thin films to produce vibrant colors.
Gratitude to Our Supporters
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Hawai‘i Keiki Museum for hosting this enlightening event and to all the families who participated. Your enthusiasm and curiosity inspire us to continue creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the success of the Light Science Workshop, we are excited to announce that Keiki Labs will be hosting summer camps at the Hawai‘i Keiki Museum. Stay tuned for upcoming details on these immersive and fun-filled learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and foster a love for science among our keiki.
At Keiki Labs, we believe that the best learning happens through joy and engagement. Thank you for being part of our journey!