Projects

Dazzling Kaleidoscope

30 min. to an hour 8-10 11-13 14+

WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?

A cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels is the perfect size for your kaleidoscope. Inside the tube, you need three reflective surfaces‚Äîthis can be made from a plastic document folder. However, if you can find it, mirrored paper also works well. When your kaleidoscope is finished, look through it and point it toward a lamp or out of the window. But remember to never point the tube directly at the sun, because you could damage your eyes.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

You will learn to build a classic kaleidoscope

STEPS

STEP 1

Stand the cardboard tube upright on one of the pieces of colored paper, and draw around the end of the tube. Put the tube to one side, and draw six tabs around the outside edge of the drawn circle. Cut out the circle with the tabs.

STEP 2

Place the circle over one end of the tube. Stick down the tabs with tape. Make a hole in the center of the circle with the pencil point. Measure the tube's length and the diameter (width) of the circle.

STEP 3

On the plastic folder, draw a rectangle . as long as the tube and two and a half times as wide as the tube's diameter. Draw lines to divide the rectangle into three equal parts. Draw a narrow tab on one side.

STEP 4

Cut out the rectangle, then score along the three inside lines with the scissors, using the edge of the ruler. Fold along the scored lines to make a triangular prism. Stick down the tab with tape.

STEP 5

Insert your prism into the cardboard tube, so that it rests against the paper circle at the end. It should fit snugly, but if not, use small pieces of tape to secure it in place.

STEP 6

Place plastic wrap loosely over the open end of the tube, and stick it in place with tape. Now put some colored beads on top of the plastic wrap.

STEP 7

Cut a circle of wax paper, wider than the tube. Place it over the beads, then cut slits in the edge of the paper and tape it to the tube.

STEP 8

Decorate the tube, if you like. Now look through the hole in the paper circle. Point the tube toward a window or light and turn it around. Enjoy the show!

WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?

A kaleidoscope works by reflecting light. Light travels in a straight line. When light bumps into something it changes direction. If light bumps into something shiny it reflects back in the direction it came from.

Materials:

Pencil
Scissors
Masking tape
Colored beads
Colored paper
Cardboard tube
Clear plastic folder
Ruler
Plastic wrap
Wax paper

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Arts & Crafts

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Art/Craft Studio

Maker Camp

Maker Camp is a do-it-yourself online resource to help leaders like you organize a summer camp that engages children in making. Our goal is to provide you and your campers with the inspiration and the helpful resources, along with many possible projects to fit a wide range of interests and abilities. The idea is to focus on making as a playful, social activity. Maker Camp provides enough support for anyone to get started. Making provides experiences that help children become self-directed learners and good problem-solvers.

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Please Note

Your safety is your own responsibility, including proper use of equipment and safety gear, and determining whether you have adequate skill and experience. Power tools, electricity, and other resources used for these projects are dangerous, unless used properly and with adequate precautions, including safety gear and adult supervision. Some illustrative photos do not depict safety precautions or equipment, in order to show the project steps more clearly. Use of the instructions and suggestions found in Maker Camp is at your own risk. Make Community, LLC, disclaims all responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or expense.

Maker Camp Project Standards

Based on NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)

National Core Arts Standards

The National Core Arts Standards are a process that guides educators in providing a unified quality arts education for students in Pre-K through high school. These standards provide goals for Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts with cross-cutting anchors in Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting through art. The Anchor Standards include:

Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Refine and complete artistic work.
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.

Please visit the website for specific details on how each anchor applies to each discipline.

NGSS 3-5.Engineering Design

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.

3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

For additional information on using content standards with our projects please visit the Maker Camp Playbook.

NGSS MS.Engineering Design

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.

MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
MS-ETS1-2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
MS-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.

For additional information on using content standards with our projects please visit the Maker Camp Playbook.

NGSS HS.Engineering Design

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.

HS-ETS1-1. Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
HS-ETS1-3. Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
HS-ETS1-4. Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.

For additional information on using content standards with our projects please visit the Maker Camp Playbook.

Dazzling Kaleidoscope

WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?