MILWAUKEE – The PPG Industries Foundation pledged $75,000 to Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh for collaboration with Harley-Davidson Museum® on a version of “The Great Color Caper” science show for students in the region surrounding PPG Industries’ Oak Creek, WI, coatings plant. The comic-book styled program uses interactive multimedia to teach students about light, energy, reflection and color while they help solve the mystery of the missing colors from a city called “Spectropolis.”
Carnegie Science Center developed The Great Color Caper in 2006 with funding from the PPG Industries Foundation and PPG Industries, and PPG employees collaborated with the center's education specialists to develop the multimedia show and supporting materials. In the original show, audiences work with a guide named Blinky to find the culprit who stole colors from the city, following clues that local PPG scientists provide related to the science of light and color.
“To tie this version of The Great Color Caper to the Harley-Davidson Museum, Blinky rides a motorcycle, of course, and scientists from Harley-Davidson and PPG’s Oak Creek plant provide video briefings with clues and tips,” said Tamela Greene, Manager, Business Development, Harley-Davidson Museum. “We are very pleased that PPG and Carnegie Science Center are helping us bring this engaging program to students in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.”
The PPG Industries Foundation previously worked with Carnegie Science Center to replicate The Great Color Caper program with Discovery Place in Charlotte, NC. Additionally, PPG employees at facilities in Mojave, CA, McCarran, NV, and the Detroit area have requested grants through an employee program of the foundation to fund visits by Carnegie Science Center to schools in their areas.