Autumn inspired science activities
During the Autumn term, you could use the changing seasons and falling leaves to your student’s advantage. Autumn is a fantastic time to inspire students using the great outdoors, just before the winter weather sets in. We have chosen our favourite science-based activities to try during Autumn.
Identifying Autumn leaves
You could take students out on a woodland nature walk, to collect various differently shaped and coloured leaves. They can use the Tree Name Trail to identify the trees. How many different types of trees can students spot in their local area? You could carry out a class survey to see the variation in different locations, for example shady vs sunlight, or parkland vs woodland.
Thin layer chromatography experiment
Or how about combining the changing seasons outdoors with an A-Level chemistry lesson? Ask students to carry out Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) on the different colours of leaves they can find.
Thin layer chromatography is the separation of a mixture of substances using a stationary phase (silica on the TLC Plate) and a mobile phase (usually a liquid solvent).
The colouring from the leaves is extracted by grinding the leaves and using chemicals. The pigment is then applied to a pencil line near the bottom of the TLC Plate using a fine paintbrush. The mobile or liquid phase moves through the stationary phase separating the components.
Rf values can then be calculated by measuring the distance each coloured spot travels up the TLC Plate. These can be compared with known Rf values of pigments to identify the components.
CLEAPSS card PP056 Thin Layer Chromatography is a simple procedure for completing this experiment. It can be found on their website and accompanying YouTube Channel. Please check the procedure and hazards before completing this practical with your students.
Students could try repeating the procedure using different colours of leaves and can compare their chromatograms.
Learn more about Autumn science experiments
Take a look at our Twitter and Facebook pages, where we regularly post new experiments to try with your class. Our specialist team is also available to answer any technical questions, just call them on 0845 120 4521 or e-mail them on techsupport@philipharris.co.uk
