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Colors of the Sky

Activity

Observing Changes from Morning to Evening

Head outside and look up at the sky during three different times of day, morning, midday, and evening. What do you notice? Is the sky the same color each time? Try drawing what you see or writing down the colors and feelings it gives you. Is it pale blue, bright blue, gray, or glowing with reds and pinks? What do the clouds look like at each time?

Science Seed

The sky is like nature’s giant light show, and it changes color depending on where the Sun is in the sky. During the day, the sky looks blue because of a process called Rayleigh scattering. As sunlight travels through Earth’s atmosphere, it collides with molecules in the air. The shorter wavelengths of light, like blue and violet, scatter in all directions, and that’s why we see blue most of the time. However, our eyes are more sensitive to blue light than violet, so the sky looks blue to us. But at sunrise and sunset, the Sun is lower in the sky, and its light has to pass through more of the atmosphere before it reaches us. The air acts like a filter, scattering away the shorter blue wavelengths and allowing the longer red, orange, and yellow wavelengths to shine through. This creates the beautiful reds, oranges, and pinks that we see at the horizon. No two sunsets or sunrises are ever the same because the atmosphere and light are constantly shifting!

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore Perez Elementary School

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

Perez Elementary School is named in honor of Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. Perez, who gave his life in service to his country. Perez is a supportive learning community with a focus on service. At Perez, we believe effort creates ability and all students will learn at high standards if they are given clear expectations, taught using best practices adapted to their unique needs and provided extra time and resources as needed. Perez students have numerous opportunities to serve their school, community and environment. They receive powerful instruction in the core curriculum areas, as well as in technology, art, music, physical education, and health.

This project was made possible by The Powell Foundation.