A paper towel with rainbow marker on both ends dipped into two cups of water.

STREAM Activity: Rainbow Bridge

Observe what happens when color meets liquid!
Activity best for children ages 2 and up

Chromatography is a way that we can separate chemicals or mixtures. This makes it easy to see and identify different substances that can be part of any mixture. This scientific technique is very useful when we want to make observations and study what something is made up of.

We, too, can become scientists and make some observations by conducting our own chromatography experiment. Making observations is an important skill in learning. Noticing changes or things that remain the same during an experiment can help us answer questions and learn more about something. Today, we will be conducting a Rainbow Bridge experiment! We will be drawing our own rainbow and will observe what happens to the colors when it meets liquid.

GUIDING QUESTIONS

  • Do the colors move slow or fast?

  • Do all the colors move at the same speed?

  • Do you notice any colors mixing together?

MATERIALS

  • Paper towel

  • Washable markers

  • 2 cups or glasses of water

  • Scissors (if needed)

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Take one piece of a paper towel and fold it over (lengthwise). Measure it and make sure it is no longer than 7 inches.

If the paper towel is too long, the colors may not be able to travel completely.

A paper towel folded in half, long ways.

STEP 2

Color in rectangles in different colors of the rainbow. Be sure to color them thoroughly or the colors will not disperse.

Do this for both ends of the paper towel.

Rainbow markers drawn on both edges of the paper towel about an inch up.

STEP 3

Dip the ends of the paper towel into water. Do not submerge the ends too deep.

Both ends of the rainbow paper towel dipped into the cups of water.

STEP 4

Make observations with the colors on the paper towel.

A paper towel covered in rainbow colors from one edge of the paper towel to the other.