Lipstick Chromatography/Ink Chromatography

Junior crime scene investigators are instructed in two different chromatography exercises. For female suspects, they separate and compare lipstick pigments. For male suspects, they separate and compare ink samples. A data sheet is provided for the lipstick observations, but not for the ink. You could create your own ink data table by imitating the lipstick page, or you could simply have young scientists draw their own. This activity can be used to demonstrate the separation of mixtures during a physical science unit for upper-elementary classes.