Don’t let the name scare you off—we’re not talking tie-dye and hippies or crayons and coloring books. Exploratorium’s ColorFest, which begins July 1, promises to school you in the science of color, all the way from perception to the physics of light refraction. Oaxacan artisans kick off the two-month festival with lessons in natural dyeing techniques using the cochineal insect. The labor-intensive process produces a pigment once as sought after as silver and gold. On July 16, the Mac-obsessed can learn about the influence color plays in industrial design from Beatrice Santiccioli, a branding expert for Apple. And if you’re looking to really geek out, Exploratorium senior staff scientist Paul Doherty demonstrates how to build a spectroscope (aka a fancy prism) and break light apart into its components on July 30. July 1–Sept. 5; 3601 Lyon St. (at Marina), 415-561-0360, exploratorium.edu