This AAPI Heritage Month, Thinkery is celebrating the many contributions, cultures, and stories of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities through hands-on learning and creative exploration. AAPI Heritage Month is a time to recognize the artists, innovators, educators, and changemakers who continue to shape our communities and inspire future generations through creativity, discovery, and connection.
This month’s activity is inspired by Japanese artist and professor Taizo Matsumura.
Known for his glowing “Hikari no Hako,” or “Light Boxes,” Matsumura uses light and color to create pixel-inspired artwork that encourages people to see the world in new ways. Inspired by his work, families can explore our Giant Pixels activity and discover how tiny points of light can come together to form colorful images.
Through this playful experience, children explore concepts like light reflection, color mixing, patterns, engineering, and design while strengthening creativity and problem-solving skills.
At Home Maker Activity: Giant Pixels
Create your own glowing pixel box using simple materials and explore how light and color work together to create larger images, just like the pixels on a screen!
Materials
- Cardboard box
- Aluminum foil
- Clear plastic wrap
- Wax paper or parchment paper
- Tape
- Scissors
Steps
- Cut the top and bottom flaps off a cardboard box and stretch plastic wrap tightly across one open side. This is the bottom.
- Roll pieces of aluminum foil into small tubes the same height of your box and pack them tightly inside the box until it is full. Each tube is a pixel!
- Cover the top with wax or parchment paper and shine light through the box to create glowing “pixels.”
Try experimenting with different colors, lights, and patterns to see how your design changes.
At Thinkery, we believe STEAM can be a powerful way for children and families to explore creativity, culture, and connection together. This AAPI Heritage Month, we invite our community to celebrate the artists, innovators, and creators who inspire us to imagine and create in new ways.