DIY Ombre Penny Art Project!

DIY Ombre Penny Art Project!

This is a super fun science project for kids!
Great little Back to School project--or possibly a fun elementary science fair presentation!

You will need Pennies!  We used 96!
A frame, no glass
some fabric...we used burlap...something heavy is best!
Vinegar
salt
Hot glue

Yes, that easy!

Step 1: Sort Supplies and Pennies!

How many pennies?
Find a frame you like...remove glass.
Cut some cardboard for a backing if frame doesn't have one.  Trim the backing board slightly, so it fits back into the frame when covered with material...this will depend on the material you've selected.  I used thick burlap, canvas or denim or duckcloth is good too!
Cover the backing with fabric and hot glue in place.

Now, line a row a pennies across the top and the side.  Multiply to see how many pennies you'll need.

Have your child(ren) sort through all the pennies and put them into color categories.
Shiny copper, dark brown, hints of black, and teal.

Now you want to have about an even amount of each variety...

If you are like us, you'll only have 1 or 2 teal ones!

Comments

[amandaghassaei]

cool, I love the color of that oxidized copper!

[doodlecraft]

Me too! I am swooning over teal right now...okay, my whole life...my favorite! I am thinking about a teal and copper penny bracelet or necklace...

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Agreed! Awesome color you got there :)

[Dietrick K.]

the penny in the bottom right corner is a dirty penny.

[doodlecraft]

:)

[AZsid]

So, I'm guessing copper content makes a difference. I would think the more copper the more of an effect. That would make the newer pennies on top which would match the "new" penny in the top left position. That would mean everything in the lower half would be pre-1982 (the year zinc was introduced)

[mrayw]

The surface of the penny actually has a higher copper concentration in post-1982 pennies.

The pre-1982 pennies were a homogeneous mixture of 95% copper, 5% zinc. The post-1982 pennies have more zinc, but it's all hidden in the core. The plating is pure copper.

[doodlecraft]

Crazily, some of the most turquoise pennies were the year 2000 or newer. So, lots of shiny 2000's pennies on the top row, and several on the bottom 2 rows! :)