Through a series of experiments, this workshop teaches children to search for the good and the beautiful in human diversity. By getting to know each other and finding something that makes each person special, our world becomes a kinder place where we can appreciate our differences.

 

Experiment example: Color Mixing Wheel

 

This experiment combines physics (momentum) with the science of color mixing. We use momentum to combine primary colors--red, blue, and yellow--to create secondary colors--purple, yellow, and green.

 

 

A color wheel is attached to a string, which is then twisted. When the string is released, the color wheel spins. The colors spin fast enough to play a trick on our brain. Instead of seeing red, blue, and yellow, we’ll see green, purple and orange when the wheel is moving. Because of its momentum, the color wheel will keep spinning while the string is twisted.

Science Takeaway

 

Momentum is the amount of power a moving object has. Momentum plays a significant role in our daily lives--it’s all around us! We’ll discuss momentum, and share some pictures to show how it works.

 

• Scientists use momentum to make cars safer in collisions.

• A karate chop can be strong enough to break through wood or rock.

• A high-speed baseball can break a glass window, while a slow-moving bowling ball might not.

Practical Application

 

It's important to appreciate the differences that people have and to learn about one another. We will meet many people in our lives who will be different from us: they might look different, talk different, or like different things. Instead of staying separate from each other, we can act like the spinning color wheel and work together to make something beautiful. We can get to know each other, to find what makes each person special, and make our world a kinder place.

 

The Diversity JScience workshop consists of five experiments.