Exploring Light and Colour: A Photonics Skills Workshop

The Cornerstone Public Engagement Team, in collaboration with partners in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Southampton, recently hosted an interactive STEAM workshop for pupils from Redbridge Community School, blending hands-on creativity with scientific exploration. STEAM—standing for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics—encourages students to learn by doing, connecting ideas across disciplines in a fun and practical way.  

The workshop began with an interactive introduction to photonics, the science and technology of light. Key principles of light, such as the electromagnetic spectrum, reflection, total internal reflection, refraction, and dispersion, were introduced, expanding on the students’ prior knowledge. The session also focused on additive and subtractive colour mixing, helping pupils understand how colours are formed through light and pigments. 

Students then designed and decorated their own lanterns using gels, finger lights, and LEDs, reinforcing their understanding of colour mixing. They also crafted kaleidoscopes to explore reflection and symmetry, demonstrating how light travels within fibre optics. 

Later, an interactive Q&A session gave pupils the opportunity to ask questions about light and learn about real-world applications of photonics, silicon photonics, and microfabrication. The session also highlighted a wide range of career pathways in photonics—from traditional research roles to more interdisciplinary opportunities— highlighting the diverse ways their skills and interests can be applied. 

The workshop wrapped up with a brief quiz in which 100% of pupils correctly defined photonics and 92% correctly identified all three taught photonics applications. Pupils took their lanterns and kaleidoscopes home as keepsakes of their creativity and learning. Our team looks forward to inspiring more students through STEAM workshops later in the year! 

This workshop, led by Dr Pearl John with support from Emily Crawshaw and Pravar Kulshreshtha was delivered in partnership with IntoUniversity, and formed part of a broader visit to the University of Southampton. The inspiration and materials for the building and decorating of lanterns was provided by LightUp Trails.