Marker Chromatography

Name of Booth: Marker Chromatography

Main STEM Concept: Separation of a mixture

Directions: Cut a paper towel or coffee filter into 4 strips. Using the markers, draw on the paper towels or filters with various colors, including black. Drape the paper towel or filter sections over the side of a cup and fill the cup with just enough water to touch the end of the paper towel or filter. Watch the colors separate as they get wet and note how different colors separate differently.

Chromatography is the separation of a mixture (the marker ink). It separates by passing a solution (ink and water) through a medium (the paper towel or filter). The components of the mixture (various colors of marker ink) move through the medium at different speeds and separate.

Questions to Ask:

• What colors do you think a blue marker would separate into?

• How do you think chromatography is applied in the world?

• Can you think of other ways to use chromatography in your life?

Materials and Space:

• Paper towels or coffee filters; various colors of water-based markers and black; clear plastic cups; scissors; water in clean water bucket and dirty water bucket to dump before they take their cup

• Tables - 2, one to keep materials dry and the other for the kids to do the experiment

• Number of volunteers - 3