The development of a light and color teaching kit for astronomy

Astronomy is an observational science. The data astronomers collect is primarily in the form of light emitted by astronomical objects across the electromagnetic spectrum. The Education and Public Outreach Group at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory has developed a low-cost kit for teaching about light and color in the context of astronomy. We will present an outline of the activities and materials included in the kit as well as the pedagogical justification for the scope and sequence. We will present the initial feedback we have received on the activities as well as future plans for dissemination.