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US Art and 5th Grade Science Cyanotype Project
From 5th Grade Science Teacher Jessie Samuel:
Upper School Art and Middle School Science make a great team. US Photography Instructor Jeorge Yankura met with our 5th grade scientists online Zoom class to discuss how the cyanotype process in photography is a great lesson in chemistry.
As Ms. Yankura explained, “It's a great combination of science and photography.
Cyanotypes consist of the combination of several different chemical compounds that are light-sensitive. In black and white photography, silver is the primary metal used to create gray and black tones. In cyanotypes, the metal used is iron.”
She also spoke about Sir John Herschel and Anna Atkins, the pioneers of utilizing cyanotype, and we demonstrated the cyanotype process so the students could observe it in action. This allowed them to see works through a chemical process, which involves treating a surface with iron salts that reacts to UV light.
Throughout this unit, the students learned about preparing the canvas, printing the cyanotype, processing and drying, and taking proper safety precautions. Learning about the process showed the students how easy and fun cyanotyping can be.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 35 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Center for Leadership builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
