Leaf Suncatcher
Ever wondered why trees are green? Or why some of them change colors and drop all their leaves? It all starts with chlorophyll. Chlorophyll gives leaves their basic green color and is necessary for photosynthesis, the reaction that enables them to convert the energy in sunlight to fuel in the form of sugar. Other pigments such as yellows, oranges, and reds are present in leaves year round, but are masked by the presence of chlorophyll! As the days start to get shorter and the nights longer, the production of chlorophyll slows down and eventually stops. This allows the other pigments to become visible.
Some trees, known as evergreens, remain green year round. Create this leaf suncatcher to enjoy the beautiful yellows, oranges, and reds, even if the trees near you are evergreen!
Materials: contact paper, black paper, tissue paper (red, orange, and yellow), leaf template, scissors, pencil, glue
Directions:
- Begin by cutting out a leaf template. Trace it onto the black paper and cut out two of them.
- Carefully cut out the center of each leaf, leaving a border.
- Place one of the leaf outlines on the sticky side of a piece of contact paper.
- Next cut red, orange, and yellow tissue paper into small squares.
- Add the tissue paper to the contact paper inside of the leaf. It is okay if some of the paper covers the black leaf outline.
6. Glue the second leaf outline onto the first one. Add the second sheet of contact paper to the top of the craft and cut it out.
Use double-sided tape on the back of the leaf or add a hole and string to hang it up. Hang your leaf in a sunny window and watch the colors shine!