Color Climbers

Color Climbers

Science Process Skills

observing

communicating

inferring

Materials (per group)

water

clear plastic cup

black or brown water-soluble markers

strips of coffee filter paper

paper towels

a sink or pitcher of water

scissors

tape

ruler

plastic straw

optional: other colors of markers

Doing the Activity

Take a strip of coffee filter and with your marker make a dot one inch from one end.

Tape the other end of the coffee filter to the center of a straw.

Put a small amount of water in the clear plastic cup.

Place the straw over the plastic cup so that the coffee filter just touches the water. Don't let the dot go into the water.

Observe what happens.

Reflecting

What happens as the coffee filter touches the water?

What happens to the marker dot when the water reaches it?

What do you see after the coffee filter has been in the water for a few minutes?

What do you think would happen if we used a different color marker to make the dot?

What do you think would happen if we used hot water? cold water?

Applying

How could scientists use this idea of separating out colors in a different experiment? How could this experiment be used in chemistry? in food science?

What's Happening

The process of chromatography is used to separate things in a mixture. In this experiment, the colors move up the paper at different rates because they mix unevenly with water. Most colors are made up of other colors. You will probably be surprised to see the different colors that make up the original color. Scientists use chromatography to separate different chemicals.

More Challenges

Repeat the experiment using different colors of markers, different brands of markers, permanent markers, and different temperatures of water.

Create "color burst" artwork. Draw designs with water-soluble markers on coffee filter paper or art paper. Use your finger to place drops of water on the designs. Predict what may happen and observe what does happen.

Repeat the experiment using different types of paper. Compare filter paper, paper towels, and notebook paper.

See what happens if you rub pieces of food or plants on the filter paper. Black jelly beans and red cabbage work well with water as the solvent.

Activity Source

Adapted from "Kitchen Science for Kids," Cornell University Resource Center, 7 Business and Technology Park, Ithaca, NY 14850, (607) 255-2080, FAX (607) 255-9946, order # 399KS and Fizz, Bubble, and Goo, Iowa State University Extension- Science, Engineering and Technology Youth Initiative, 32 Curtiss Hall, Ames, IA, 50011.

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
University Extension

Site contact
E-SET ISU Extension Extension Sites Search

NNST CYFERNet

	Color Climbers
	Science Process Skills observing communicating inferring
	Materials (per group) water clear plastic cup black or brown water-soluble markers strips of coffee filter paper paper towels a sink or pitcher of water scissors tape ruler plastic straw optional: other colors of markers
	Doing the Activity Take a strip of coffee filter and with your marker make a dot one inch from one end. Tape the other end of the coffee filter to the center of a straw. Put a small amount of water in the clear plastic cup. Place the straw over the plastic cup so that the coffee filter just touches the water. Don't let the dot go into the water. Observe what happens.
	Reflecting What happens as the coffee filter touches the water? What happens to the marker dot when the water reaches it? What do you see after the coffee filter has been in the water for a few minutes? What do you think would happen if we used a different color marker to make the dot? What do you think would happen if we used hot water? cold water?
	Applying How could scientists use this idea of separating out colors in a different experiment? How could this experiment be used in chemistry? in food science?
	What's Happening The process of chromatography is used to separate things in a mixture. In this experiment, the colors move up the paper at different rates because they mix unevenly with water. Most colors are made up of other colors. You will probably be surprised to see the different colors that make up the original color. Scientists use chromatography to separate different chemicals.
	More Challenges Repeat the experiment using different colors of markers, different brands of markers, permanent markers, and different temperatures of water. Create "color burst" artwork. Draw designs with water-soluble markers on coffee filter paper or art paper. Use your finger to place drops of water on the designs. Predict what may happen and observe what does happen. Repeat the experiment using different types of paper. Compare filter paper, paper towels, and notebook paper. See what happens if you rub pieces of food or plants on the filter paper. Black jelly beans and red cabbage work well with water as the solvent.
	Activity Source Adapted from "Kitchen Science for Kids," Cornell University Resource Center, 7 Business and Technology Park, Ithaca, NY 14850, (607) 255-2080, FAX (607) 255-9946, order # 399KS and Fizz, Bubble, and Goo, Iowa State University Extension- Science, Engineering and Technology Youth Initiative, 32 Curtiss Hall, Ames, IA, 50011.