The 8th-grade science students at JPII continued their deep dive into the Electromagnetic Spectrum (previous article) with a hands-on experiment that explored how color affects light absorption. Using white, black, and colored balloons, students focused sunlight on them to observe which balloon would absorb the most energy and pop first.

Spoiler alert: the black balloon popped the fastest! Why? Because black absorbs all wavelengths of light and converts them into heat, while lighter colors reflect more light away.

“This experiment helped students visualize real-world applications of light absorption and energy transfer—concepts used in solar energy, climate science, engineering, and even sportswear design,” said JPII science teacher, Nicole Schatzle. “Understanding how different colors interact with light is essential in fields like architecture when building materials that reduce heat absorption, medicine when using laser treatments, and technology such as LCD screens and imaging systems. Some students even got extra creative, experimenting with other ways to harness the sun’s energy, a step toward innovation and problem-solving that could lead to future breakthroughs in renewable energy and sustainability!"

Through engaging lessons like this, JPII students aren’t just learning science - they’re applying it to real-world challenges and lighting the way for a brighter, more informed future!