Exploring Seasons Through Art & Science: Autumn Inspiration Under the Theme “How the World Works”
As part of our current inquiry into the IB Primary Years Programme transdisciplinary theme “How the World Works”, our young artists have been exploring the science behind the changing seasons—specifically, the transition into autumn. This unit combines art and science to help students understand natural cycles and chemical properties through creative expression and hands-on experimentation.
🍁 Art Focus: Autumn Leaf Rubbings with Oil Pastel & Watercolor
Following a summer nature walk and art activity, we’re now embracing the colors and textures of fall. Students began by collecting and selecting real fallen, dried leaves, observing their shapes, veins, and varying tones. Using oil pastel, they created leaf rubbings, carefully capturing the beauty, details and shapes of foliage.
To finish their pieces, we applied watercolor washes in warm seasonal hues—bright red, burnt orange, sunshine yellow, and deep purples—right over the pastel rubbings. Because oil and water don’t mix, the oil pastel resists the watercolor, revealing the detailed leaf textures underneath in a vivid and eye-catching way.
This hands-on project helped students visually connect to the science concept of materials and their properties, while expressing the season through color and technique.
🔬 Science Link: The Lava Lamp Experiment
To deepen the connection between art and science, we also explored the concept behind our artwork—oil and water resistance—through a fun classroom experiment: DIY lava lamps! Using oil, water, food coloring, and an eye dropper, students observed how these two liquids behave when combined. Just like in their artwork, they saw firsthand that oil and water don’t mix—a key property explored through both media and experimentation.
This simple experiment sparked curiosity and solidified their understanding of density, immiscibility, and chemical reactions, tying right back into our unit’s central idea: how natural processes and materials behave and interact.
Through this integrated art and science experience, students are not only discovering the magic of the seasons but also learning how the world works—through observation, experimentation, and creative exploration.
