Color Control

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive

In this activity, learners investigate how drawn patterns can control the flow of colored water through paper. Learners cut coffee filters or paper towels into simple shapes, draw dark boundary lines with a Sharpie, and dip paper tabs into different colors of water to watch how the colors move, mix, or separate. By designing and testing their own patterns, learners explore how materials and pathways can guide the movement of liquids.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 4 - adult
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 4 coffee filters (or paper towels)
  • Sharpie marker
  • Food coloring (at least 2 colors)
  • Water
  • Ruler
  • Ruler
  • Small cups

Keywords

Subjects

  • Physical Sciences
    • States of Matter
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
    • Chemistry
      • Solutions
  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data

Informal Categories

  • Arts and Crafts

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color

Culture, ethnicity, and gender

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Penn State University; The Franklin Institute

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Penn State University, 2021

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, DMR-2011839

Related Videos