Why do leaves change colors in the fall?

Curious about why leaves change colors in the fall? We have a great hands-on and easy chromatography science activity for you to explore this question.

Watch the video from WWLP News Channel 22’s Mass Appeal below.

Materials Needed:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Paper towels or coffee filters cut into strips 
• Colorful fall leaves (but green leaves do cool things, too!)
• Immersion blender or mortar and pestle
• Glass bowl, cup, or mason jar

Directions:

• Tear up leaves in tiny pieces. Remove the stems.
• Place leaves in a glass bowl or jar with a rim large enough to place an immersion blender in.
• Cover the leaves with rubbing alcohol.
• Blend (this was messy but fun for us!).
• Place the paper towel in the leafy liquid, folding the rim over the edge to hang it without it dropping in.
• Leave for 12-24 hours.
• Take the paper towel strips out. Drip dry them.
• What do you notice? What do you wonder? How might you find out more?

Thanks to this post for the inspiration.