Operation Espionage

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In this activity, learners create and reveal secret messages written with invisible ink! The invisible ink is actually a baking soda solution, and the magical revealing liquid is fruit juice. The end result is an acid-base reaction that everyone can have fun with and learn more about chemical reactions, while using the scientific process.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 11
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English, Spanish

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 1 tsp. of baking soda
  • Water
  • 3 bowls, filled halfway with purple grape juice, grape juice concentrate, and cranberry juice, each labeled
  • 1 bowl filled halfway with water and a drop of red and blue food coloring, labeled
  • 1 spoon
  • Cotton swabs
  • Cotton balls
  • Cup
  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Paper towels

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Chemical Engineering
  • Physical Sciences
    • Chemistry
      • Chemical Reactions
      • Acids and Bases
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations

Informal Categories

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Crime Science

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
  • Uses STEM to solve real-world problems
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Foreign language versions of this resource:

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:

  • WGBH

Source Collection

  • Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, WGBH Educational Foundation, 2008

Funding Sources:

  • National Science Foundation, 0714741
  • Public television viewers
  • Greendog