POST-SECONDARY COLOUR EXERCISES
Note: some exercises may be adapted for elementary and high school levels.
Students prepare sequences of paint mixtures showing the intermediate colour steps that can be obtained from mixtures of various combinations of paints. The images are photographed and the teacher or student can then open the photographs in the program Image J and observe the mixing paths from various directions in CIE L*a*b* using the Color Inspector 3D plugin, wherever possible relating features of the three-dimensional mixing paths to the observed colour attributes.
LEVEL: Post Secondary. Advanced High School
Students perform a hands-on ‘kitchen science’ experiment, where they prepare a natural pH indicator of red cabbage juice. They then test the acidities of various household substances, and document any colour change in the indicator that they notice. They write their results up using the scientific method, and further delve into the topic by writing a short essay on the fundamental principles of acids, bases, pH and indicators, which they can link back to their experiential kitchen science experiment
LEVEL: The pH Experiment is applicable to many levels.
This article by Saara Pyykkö describes how she transformed an MA-level experience-based course into an online version for Aalto University, Finland. She describes how a Colour Walk exercise was transformed for online learning, and also discusses useful teaching tools for the virtual environment. (Image credit: Task 4B, the sketch for the colour design, working process of Julia Lehto, MA student of textile design.)
