On April 18, 2025, Keiki Labs had the pleasure of supporting the Elementary Science Olympiad at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, offering fun and engaging activities for young scientists in grades 4 through 6. The day was filled with curiosity, creativity, and discovery as our team guided the keiki through hands-on experiments that illustrated the marvelous principles of science.
Session: Exploring the Spin with the Color Wheel Toy
Our activity kicked off with an exciting exploration of energy, inertia, and perception through the creation of a colorful flywheel-inspired toy. The keiki gathered materials — crayons, paper, yarn, and glue sticks — and set to work designing their own spinning color wheels. Inspired by the concepts of energy storage and inertia, these simple yet fascinating toys demonstrated how a small push can keep the wheel spinning smoothly.
As the children spun their color wheels, they observed a captivating phenomenon: the rapid rotation caused the colors to blend together, and the wheel appeared to be a uniform shade of white or gray. This visual effect is rooted in how our brains process rapidly changing colors—a wonderful example of the interaction between science and perception. It opened up meaningful discussions about how our eyes and brains interpret the world around us, emphasizing that science isn’t just about experiments but about understanding our very perception of reality.
Supporting Young Scientists’ Curiosity
The keiki eagerly engaged in the activity, experimenting with different spinning speeds and observing how minimal energy input could create continuous motion. They learned about the role of inertia—how objects resist changes in their motion—and how energy is stored temporarily in the spinning wheel. This hands-on experience embodies Keiki Labs’ mission of making science accessible, fun, and safe, inspiring our young scientists to see the everyday wonders of science in action.
Gratitude and Acknowledgments
A special thank you to Marisa Miyashiro, Program Coordinator at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, for her support and coordination that made this event possible. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the University of Hawaii at Hilo for hosting such an inspiring event, and to all the participating families and teachers. Your curiosity and enthusiasm motivate us to continue creating joyful, educational experiences that ignite a love for science in every keiki.
Looking Forward
Reflecting on this exciting day, Keiki Labs is energized to continue providing engaging science activities. Stay tuned for upcoming workshops, summer camps, and community events designed to nurture curiosity and foster a community of young science explorers. We believe that learning is most powerful when it’s fun, truthful, and safe—just like the spirit of the Elementary Science Olympiad.
Thank you for being part of our journey to inspire the next generation of thinkers, inventors, and dreamers through the joy of science!