Written by: Amelia Schrader
Senior Manager of Learning and Education
Materials
Water cup
Watercolors
Paintbrush
Crayons
PaperTry (optional)
Length:
10 minutes +
Academic Subject(s):
Science, Art
Today we are doing a great STEAM project to learn about how oil and water don’t mix. This simple project can be done with all ages – the complexity of the drawing will increase with older children. Since it is May 4th, I decided to do a space theme for this project!
Directions:
Step 1: Draw a picture on the paper. You can do a space theme like me or anything you can imaging! For younger children this is a great opportunity to practice drawing shapes, counting or engaging in color recognition activities. Make sure you include some white crayon because that will be the most eye catching change!
Hint: Don’t have a white crayon? You can also use a white birthday candle! The wax from the candle will react the same way as a crayon and will be similar to holding a crayon for your child.
Step 2: Dip your paintbrush in water and the water color bricks (if you are using liquid water color you may not need additional water depending on your brand). Begin painting over the entire surface of your crayon drawing! I like to do this step on a tray of some kind, so it is easier to clean up later.
Step 3: As you paint, make sure you observe the wax crayon repelling the water on the paper! The watercolor seems to roll right off the drawing.
Step 4: Compete cover your paper with water color and allow to dry! I hope you enjoy this simple STEAM project as much as I do! You can do this project with all different images! Try doing a picture all with white crayon and see you image revealed as you paint over the surface.
Have fun and “May the 4th Be With You”!
Vocabulary Words
Repel: to drive or force back or away
STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math! This is an educational approach that incorporates the arts into STEM learning.
