Chemistry in colour

Tarragona’s Banc de Espanya building reopened its doors after 13 years on September 18 and 19, to host “Colours: A Historical–Scientific Journey,” scientific workshops aimed at children between 6 and 12 years of age.

The ICIQ presented “Chemistry in Colour,” a series of three experiments that allowed children to paint on milk, change the colour of a solution using “xupa-xups” lollipops, and learn about chromatography with a marker.

This is a first step towards converting the emblematic building on La Rambla into a center for the dissemination of knowledge, a project of Tarragona’s Council in collaboration with the city’s research centers ICIQ; ICAC (Institut Català d’Arqueologia Clàssica); and IPHES (Institut Català de Paleoecologia i Evolució Social).

The activity also included workshops by these institutes: IPHES worked with kids creating prehistoric paintings; and ICAC focused on using Roman pigments to decorate. The chemical company BASF also collaborated with the initiative offering some additional activities about colours and chemistry.