Curated OER
Color Burst
Students gain experience in asking questions and conducting inquiry by exploring the separation of colors in water and other solvents; to communicate and share findings of student investigations.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: What Causes Rainbows?
An experiment to demonstrate how to make a rainbow and why they form.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Make a Green Gumball Black
An experiment to investigate what colors are seen when light is absorbed or reflected by colored gumballs. With links to scientific, academic articles that explain what is happening.
Science is Fun
Science Is Fun: Candy Chromatography
In this experiment, you learn about chromatography when you separate the dyes in candies like M & M's and Skittles to see how many dyes are in each color.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Paper Towel Chromatography Experiment
Observe the separation of colors derived from black marker ink by wicking water through a marker line on a paper towel.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Release the Rainbow
A simple activity to demonstrate how light separates into colors when it passes through water acting as a prism.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Black Is Black or Is It?
An experiment with a coffee filter and a marker to see what happens when water touches a black dot, or any other color. With links to several scientific, academic articles that explain what is happening.