Color Me Chlorophyll

Natalie

Biological Concept:Plants are fascinating, and understanding how they work is best explained by talking about chlorophyll. By understanding that plants utilize the sun and nutrients they absorb, children can begin to understand the fundamentals of cellular uptake within the organism. Understanding that the students are still young, it is a concept that will stick with them for ages.

Educational Concept:This lab can serve as a foundation for students for further education. It is a simple yet profoundly eye opening lab that involves all the main aspects of plant life and how they survive. Providing a visual for these kids can help them ask more questions and continue to inquire about plants.

How much will this cost to present to a class of 30 students?

$90.00

What is the total for the one-time set-up costs?

$90.00

What is the total for the consumable supplies for 30 students?

$40.00

How long will this take you to prepare initially?

25 minutes

How much time will your students spend with this lab?

Approx. 1 hr total

How long will this take you to clean up?

Approx. 15 minutes total

Introduction

In this lab, students will be introduced to general concepts of photosynthesis on the basis of chlorophyll. Flowers are all very pretty and younger students will be able to grasp the concept and make use of the flowers used as well. Chlorophyll being the cell that is primarily used in photosynthesis is mainly green when healthy. On flowers the location of green is mainly the stem. Otherwise there is little chlorophyll found where there is no green.

Science Topics: Scientific Method – Hypothesis, observing changes, analyzing data.

Skills: Observing, questioning, inferring, hypothesizing

Benchmarks: 1 Organisms, Forming the question/hypothesis, analyzing and interpreting results.

Time required:

Developing lab:15 minutes

Prepping lab:10 minutes

Activity:30 minute class time/Day 1

30 minute class time/Day 2

Cleanup:5 minutes/Day 1

10 minutes/Day 2

Estimated cost for consumables: Approx. $30.00

2 dozen Daisies -$25.00

1 box food coloring -$5.00

Estimated cost for initial set up: Approx. $70.00

24 small glass jars - $30.00 (flee markets)

2 dozen Daisies -$25.00

1 box food coloring -$5.00

Multiple scissors - $10.00

Lab Objectives

-Conduct experiment on the change of color on daisies in using food coloring.

-Explain photosynthesis and chlorophyll significance in flowers

-Have students hypothesize results

Supplies

2 Dozen White daisies

1 box of food coloring (primary colors)

24 small class jars

Tap water

Preparation

Set up 24 glass jars along sides of windows

Place selected flowers that stay white in randomly selected jars

Procedure

  1. Introduce class to lab. Brief discussion on photosynthesis, the function of chlorophyll.
  2. Ask students to think about what will happen to the daisies if water color is changed. Will the flower change color? Will the stem change color? Both? Neither? Why?
  3. Hand out each student one daisy.
  4. Have the students cut the ends of their daisies, explaining that this allows them to “drink” more efficiently.
  5. Students should then pick a glass and fill it with water.
  6. Then allow students to choose which color they want, blue, red, green, or yellow.
  7. Direct students that only 5 drops of food coloring should be used.
  8. Final step, place daisy in jar.
  9. Direct students to watch and see if they can see the flower change color in a short amount of time.
  10. Follow into discussion of chlorophyll and instruct students to place their jars back on the window sills until the following day.
  11. Following day: show students where the flowers changed color and where not. Ask where they think the majority of chlorophyll is located.
  12. Students can take their flower home to their mothers!

Assessment

  1. Where did you think the flower would change color? Why?
  2. Where did the flower actually change color?
  3. Why do you think chlorophyll would be concentrated in the stem of the flower?
  4. How did the color of the flower change in relation to how much water is left in the jar?
  5. Did the sun have anything to do with the change? Why or why not?
  6. Can any plant change color like the Daisy did?
  7. Which plants do you think can’t change color?
  8. What other plants might be able to change color?

Extensions

Anything can be used to introduce this lab. A good talk about cells and chlorophyll, their function and how plants get their nutrients and grow are completely acceptable and encouraged even at second grade level.