<aside> 💡 Link to learning activity document in Google drive can be found here.

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Overview

In this 45 minutes lesson blending science and art, students are going to learn how to make cyanotypes - a camera less photography technique dating back to the 1800s. In this lesson, students are going to learn the basic chemistry behind how cyanotype works, how cyanotypes are used in the past and present, and create their own cyanotype postcards.

Ingredients

• Sunprint paper, cut into postcard-sized sheets
• Cardstock, cut into postcard-sized sheets
• UV light box
• Materials for making prints - below are some sample materials, but you can use anything available or let students bring in their own materials:
  • Tissue paper
  • Leaves, flowers, other organic materials
  • Tracing paper and black markers
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Felt/foam shapes or cut-out letters
  • Other household objects
• Binder clips for hanging prints
• Packing tape and/or glue sticks for assembling postcards
• Hair dryer for drying the prints
• [Optional but recommended] a sheet of plexiglass, to make sure materials lay flat
• [Optional] large plastic tray for rinsing the prints (you can also use a sink if it’s available)

Learning Goals and Objectives

<aside> 1️⃣ Students will be exposed to ideas about the electromagnetic spectrum.

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• Students will be able to define UV light and differentiate it from other forms of light.
• Students will be able to define wavelength.

<aside> 2️⃣ Students will experience and learn about the process/history of image making through cyanotypes.

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