Karyn Tripp - Science Art and Drawing Games for Kids: 35+ Fun Art Projects to Build Amazing Science Skills

cience is what makes the world go around. I have always loved science and was so excited to have the opportunity to create a science art book! I love that the world and all of its parts can be explained through biology, botany, astronomy, chemistry, and physics. And there is so much beauty in all of it.

My grandfather was an inventor. He was always building and creating things. I always remember him and the many stories of the things he made over the years. I got to take part in helping him build some of his inventions and it always stayed with me. I also watched my father build a car in our garage. Watching that process was inspiring to me. I know these influences in my life are a big part of what gave me my love for science.

I have always been awed and inspired by nature and the world around me. I love spring when the newness of life is bursting forth. I love watching plants grow to maturity and bear fruit. I am fascinated by rocks, shells, insects, and animals. I always want to know how and why things work, and this has led me to learn and study many of these things with my children over the years.

When I think of art and science together, Leonardo da Vinci comes to mind. He was someone who created both. I picture the David sculpture by the artist Michelangelo. Galileo, a famous scientist and astronomer, not only made new discoveries but created amazing art from the discoveries he made through his telescope. A famous botanist, Maria Sibylla Merian, created incredible art pieces based on plant life.

Often art and science are seen as opposites, but that could not be further from the truth! Artists use immense amounts of science in their creations and science is so full of art and beauty. They are virtually inseparable. Scientists keep notes and drawings of the things they learn and discover. Artists need to know chemistry and physics as they create their work. Many art techniquessuch as photography, the making of paints, and the plaster used by many ancient artistsrequired a great amount of scientific knowledge to develop.

Science is one of the most fun subjects to explore and teach to kids. Exciting things can happen when you use principles of science to make art. You can create incredible art that may seem like magic in the process. Many of these activities are about the process as well as the product, so be sure to have fun in that process!

As you try out the projects in this book, I hope youll be inspired to learn how and why they work. Behind each project is a science concept that you can study and learn more about. Science is truly awe inspiring and I hope you can develop your own love of science.

What Youll Need

These science-art activities will require a few supplies to make. Many of the supplies are common household items that you likely already have on hand. However, there are some specialty supplies that youll need to acquire in advance. This supply list includes everything youll need for the projects in this book. Stock up on all items or pick and choose certain projects and make sure you have all the required items to complete them. Once you have what you need, you can dive in and start creating and learning.

• AA batteries

• AA battery pack

• acrylic paint

• ammonia

• baking soda

• beads

• binder clips

• black light

• blender

• bluing

• buttons

• calcium chloride

• cardboard

• cardstock paper

• citric acid

• clay

• clear plastic cups

• coconut oil

• coin cell batteries

• computer

• conductive thread

• contact paper

• copper tape

• cornstarch

• cotton swabs

• craft foam sheets

• crayons

• dice

• dry erase markers

• duct tape

• eggs

• electrical tape

• embroidery thread

• Epsom salts

• eye droppers

• fabric squares

• felt squares

• filter paper

• fish

• flexible mirror

• flour

• flowers

• fruits and vegetables

• gears

• glass jar

• glue

• glue sticks

• google eyes

• graphite powder

• highlighter markers

• hobby motor

• hot glue gun

• insects

• iron filings

• LED lights

• lemonade

• liquid watercolors or food coloring

• magnets

• markers

• metal brads

• metal nut

• microscope

• paintbrushes

• paper

• paperclips

• parchment paper

• pebbles

• permanent markers

• pipe cleaners

• plants

• pom poms

• pots and pans

• printer

• prisms

• resin

• rubber bands

• rubbing alcohol

• ruler

• salt

• scissors

• seeds

• shaving cream

• silicone molds

• sodium alginate

• stove or microwave

• strainer

• sugar

• tape