Lighting Up Celery Stalks

Source Institutions

Science Friday

In this activity, learners conduct a series of hands-on experiments that demonstrate how the working of plants' veins, known as capillary action, enables water to travel throughout the length of a plant. Learners discover how the forces of water cohesion and adhesion contribute to the process of capillary action.

Preparation Time:: 5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:: 1 to 7 days
Estimated Materials Cost:: $5 - $10 per student
Age Range:: Ages 11 - 14
Resource Types:: Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:: English

Materials List (per student)

Wax paper, cut into small squares
Droppers
Clear plastic cups
Colored water (use food dye of any color)
Coffee filters, cut into thin strips about two inches long
Magnifying lenses
Tape
Celery stalks (fresh with leaves on top of stalk)
Scissors

Keywords

Subjects

Life Sciences
- Diversity of Life
  - Plants
Physical Sciences
- Motion and Forces
  - Gravity
- States of Matter
  - Liquids
- Structure and Properties of Matter
The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
  - Conducting Investigations

Informal Categories

Food and Cooking
Gardening
Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

see
see color
touch

Learning styles supported:

Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards

Standards Alignment National Standards

This resource is part of:

Science Friday Teacher Resources

Access Rights:

Free access

By:

Education, Science Friday