Secret Messages
In this activity, we are going to explore which types of wax makes the best secret messages!
Learning Objectives:
Science Content Knowledge: Build basic knowledge about the water repellent properties of different types of waxes
Science Process Skills: observing, comparing, experimenting, and communicating.
Developmental Skills: fine and gross motor skills
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to do secret messages in your home or classroom!
Let’s Begin!
Materials
Blank piece of paper or Valentine Card
White Crayola Crayon
White Bees Wax Crayon or candle
Watercolor paint
Cup of water
Paintbrush
Directions:
On a blank piece of paper, have students write a secret message for a classmate using the white Crayola crayon
Trade secret messages
Have students dip their paintbrush in water, and then the watercolor paint
Brush the watercolor paint over the wax to reveal the secret message
If desired, repeat these steps with the second wax (bees wax crayon or candle) and compare how well each type of wax performed.
Classroom Connection!
Try this activity as a fun secret Valentine activity for little learners! Have children make Valentine’s Day cards for classmates and sign their name in white crayon. Then, instruct students to paint over the From: _______ line to reveal the name of their secret Valentine!
Paper under a microscope! See the tiny holes? Wax will fill in those holes to protect the paper from water color paint!
Examining the Experiment:
Crayons are made from paraffin wax and color pigment. When we use crayons to color or write, the wax fills in the tiny holes and crevices on paper. Then, when we use water color paint to paint over the secret message, the wax repels the water because wax is hydrophobic. While the rest of the paper absorbed the watercolor, turning the paper colorful, the paper under the wax is being protected by it’s hydrophobic properties, this leaving a secret message visible!
Crayons and candles differ in the amount and types of wax they use. You can test how hydrophobic a crayon is by performing this activity over and over again to see which types of crayons make the best secret messages!
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