What’s at the End of a Rainbow? Nature Study
Rainbows are one of nature’s most breathtaking displays—a perfect topic for a rainbow nature study! Whether you’ve spotted one stretching across the sky after a rainstorm or only seen them in books, these colorful arcs spark curiosity and wonder in learners of all ages.
In the latest No Sweat Nature Study Podcast episode, I answer, What’s at the end of a rainbow? Along the way, students learn fascinating science facts, hear a fun cultural legend, and even enjoy a joke. It’s a short and sweet episode that packs rich learning, perfect for supplementing your homeschool science curriculum or adding a little “color” to your day.
Rainbow Nature Study
To make the most of this episode, encourage your children to listen carefully and answer these comprehension questions orally—or in writing. These are great for nature journals, discussion starters, or even science notebooking pages.
- What is the name of the process that causes light to bend as it passes through raindrops? (Refraction)
- What acronym helps us remember the colors in a rainbow? (ROYGBIV)
- What are the seven colors of the rainbow in order? (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet)
- What is unique about the color indigo? (It’s a dark bluish-purple color that appears between blue and violet.)
- Why do we usually only see part of a rainbow instead of the full circle? (The ground blocks the bottom half, so we only see the top arc.)
- Is there really an end to a rainbow? (No, a rainbow is a full circle of light, but it appears differently depending on where you stand.)
- Why do rainbows appear after rain showers? (Because sunlight passes through lingering raindrops, creating the conditions for a rainbow to form.)
- According to folklore, what might you find at the end of a rainbow? (A pot of gold!)
Rainbow Nature Study Video Class
Did you know rainbows also offer an excellent opportunity to teach scientific concepts like refraction, light, and color? That’s precisely what your family can learn during the Rainbow Video Class inside the No Sweat Nature Study membership!
In this colorful class, learn even more about the science of how rainbows form, explore the role of light and water droplets, and practice identifying and labeling the parts of a rainbow.
As a special treat, students will use watercolors to create a beautiful nature journal page with a labeled rainbow diagram. The perfect blend of science, art, and hands-on learning makes nature study incredibly engaging. If your family isn’t already a member, it’s easy to join at NoSweatNatureStudy.com—you’ll gain instant access to this class and over 150 others waiting in the video library!
Free Nature Observation Printable Packet for All Seasons
No matter what time of year you’re listening to this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, here’s a printable pack of nature observation activities for every season of the year!
Would you like to record a voicemail to answer this season’s nature study question?
At the end of each No Sweat Nature Study Podcast episode, Mrs. Cindy includes messages from a few of her friends. You can record a message that she might use on an upcoming episode!
All children must have their parent’s permission before leaving a recording. Parents are welcome to record an answer, too!
Each season, there will be a different question to answer. You can see this season’s question below. Think about your answer first, and then follow these simple directions:
- Click the button that says “Start recording”.
- Tell me your first name. (If you want to tell your age and/or where you live, feel free to do that.)
- You will have 60 seconds to answer the question but try to be concise.
- Push the play button to listen to your recording before sending it to be sure it is recorded correctly. If not, record it again.
Please leave a rating or a review on your podcast app! It helps the podcast to show up for more people…which means more families can enjoy science through the wonderful lens of nature study! Thank you!