Solar Optics: Bioplastic Engineering
the art room and STEAM LABS
Step into the role of a material scientist in this fusion of green chemistry and optical physics. In this advanced session, students engineer their own biopolymers from scratch, using renewable ingredients to create custom, glass-like ‘gems.’ We move beyond simple crafts to explore the Science of Light, investigating how ‘translucent’ versus ‘opaque’ materials manipulate sunbeams through refraction. By calculating the perfect chemical ratios for clarity and flexibility, students learn how sustainable design can replace traditional plastics. The result is a sophisticated piece of ‘solar art’ that demonstrates the power of renewable chemistry and the beauty of light-wave physics.
For our older innovators, this class is a deep dive into green chemistry and the physics of light. Students will engineer their own biopolymers—bio-based plastics made from renewable sources—and test how different ratios of ingredients affect the clarity and flexibility of the final ‘gem.’ We’ll move beyond basic shapes to explore Refraction and Light Diffusion, studying how light waves bend and change speed as they travel through different densities. By experimenting with ‘prismatic layering’—placing different tints at specific angles—students will learn how to manipulate light to create custom visual effects. This is a sophisticated look at the future of sustainable design, where artists become inventors, creating beautiful objects that are as kind to the planet as they are to the eye.
OUR STUDIO MATERIALS
At our studio, we believe every artist needs the right foundation to grow. We provide recycled white craft paper for bold experimentation and ‘practice runs,’ allowing kids to play without the fear of wasting ‘good’ paper. For their final masterpieces, students graduate to heavyweight mixed media paper that holds pigment beautifully and won’t buckle under ink. We use high-quality, student-safe inks that provide rich color without the toxic fumes of traditional solvents. This balanced approach keeps our classes accessible while ensuring the final results are something your child will be proud to hang on the wall.
