Leaf Lab
Did you know, leaves have hidden colors? The beautiful Fall colors we all know and love are hiding beneath the green coloring called chlorophyll.
In this Fall science activity, we are going to help break down the green color in leaves to reveal their hidden hues.
Learning Objectives/Opportunities
Build basic knowledge about leaves
Science process skills: observing, predicting, recording and sharing findings
Developmental Skills: executive function, fine and gross motor skills
Let’s Begin!
Materials:
Leaves, cut up small
Isopropyl alcohol, rubbing alcohol, or nail polish remover
Coffee filter (cut into strips)
Directions
Pick a tree near you and collect a few leaves
Rip the leaves into tiny pieces
Using the flat end of a spoon or other blunt object, grind the leaves into a pulp
Pour acetone (nail polish remover) or Isopropyl / rubbing alcohol onto the pulp until it covers the leaves
Lay the coffee filter so the filter just reaches the top of the alcohol solution
Wait for the colors to spread up the filter
Observe the hidden colors that appear!
Gentle Disclaimer: Children must be supervised at all times by a parent during STEMSpark online classes. We may use materials or ingredients in our experiments that can stain surfaces or clothing, be messy, or slippery. Please be careful and make sure no experiments are put in the mouth and kept away from children under 3.
Breaking down the science!
Leaves are green because they have a special green color called chlorophyll. This green color helps leaves change sunlight into food to make them healthy and strong.
In the fall, the days are shorter. Shorter days mean the leaves get less sunlight, which means less food for the leaves.
Without food, the leaves begin to change color. That's because the special green color, chlorophyll breaks down. When the green color breaks down, then the leaf's true colors are finally revealed!
Interpreting your results!
Chlorophyll is a dense pigment, meaning it is a heavy color. Usually, the chlorophyll will hang out at the bottom of the strip of paper, as seen here.
This leaf also has brown, orange and yellow pigments. This might mean that this leaf turns one of these colors, or some combination of these colors in the fall. What color do you think it will turn?
Now, look at your own results. Complete the results worksheet below, and predict what color your leaf will turn in the fall!
