Chemistry is Colorful

TYPE: Short Activities
AUDIENCE: Ages 7 - Adult
TOPIC: Chemistry
In this activity, learners try to solve the mystery of which ink came from what marker by using colorful paper chromatography.
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DESCRIPTION

Chemistry is Colorful encourages visitors to explore materials through paper chromatography. This process highlights the properties of different pigments blended together in a marker by creating a colorful chromatogram. Can participants solve the mystery of which ink came from which marker? 

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  • Group of learners examine color diffusion on various papers
  • Various marker samples and ink diffusion on tissue paper
  • Two learners and a facilitator drip water onto a tissue to diffuse ink
  • A learner reveals color diffusion on tissue paper
  • A young learner drips water onto a coffee filter to reveal ink diffusion
  • Group of learners examine color diffusion on various papers
  • Various marker samples and ink diffusion on tissue paper
  • Two learners and a facilitator drip water onto a tissue to diffuse ink
  • A learner reveals color diffusion on tissue paper
  • A young learner drips water onto a coffee filter to reveal ink diffusion

DESCRIPTION

Chemistry is Colorful encourages visitors to explore materials through paper chromatography. This process highlights the properties of different pigments blended together in a marker by creating a colorful chromatogram. Can participants solve the mystery of which ink came from which marker? 

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TRAINING VIDEOS

OBJECTIVES

BIG IDEA

Learners will increase their feelings of interest in chemistry through hands-on interaction and observation of phenomena, and by exploring chemistry concepts and making connections to everyday life.

Learners will increase their understanding of the relevance of chemistry by exploring the applications of chemistry.

Learners will increase their sense of self-efficacy related to chemistry through hands-on interaction, experimenting with variables, by successfully doing and understanding the activity.

LEARNING GOALS

  • Learners will explore chemistry concepts, tools, and practices:

    • Chemists study how different materials behave and change, and how materials interact with each other.
    • Chemistry can help us understand our world and solve challenges.

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TYPE:
Educational Resources
AUDIENCE:
Ages 7 - Adult
LANGUAGES:
English Spanish
ADDITIONAL TOPICS: Physical Sciences Chemistry Materials Science Societal Topics Art, Music, and Literature
KIT: Browse kit
KEYWORDS:

Credits

YEAR CREATED
2018
PROJECT
OWNING INSTITUTION

Museum of Science, Boston

FUNDING

Developed for the NISE Network with funding from the National Science Foundation under Grant Number DRL 1612482. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

PERMISSIONS

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).
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DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

NISE Network products are developed through an iterative collaborative process that includes scientific review, peer review, and visitor evaluation in accordance with an inclusive audiences approach. Products are designed to be easily edited and adapted for different audiences under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. To learn more, visit our Development Process page.