CHROMATOGRAPHY LESSON

• Paper and Leaf Chromatography
  An Art/Science Lesson
  Maker Day at WPU/William Paterson University
  WPU College of Education
  March 9, 2018
  Triada Samaras 
  WPU Adjunct Professor of Art Education and Art PIR/Professor in Residence  
  samarast@wpunj.edu
  Cell 917-558-6157
  Assistant:  Maxine Kane
  
  
  Chromatography is a laboratory technique for the separation of a mixture. 
  It has both science and art learning built into it and makes for a interesting STEAM lesson or project.
  
  
  SWL:  Students will learn that mixtures (for examples dyes) and plants, for example, leaves, contain numerous pigments.
  SWD:  Students will learn how to use chromatography to reveal the various pigments in a dye or leaf.
  Prompt:
  How do you think we might separate the pigments in a dye (marker) or a leaf using a laboratory technique? How many distinct pigments or colors do you think a leaf (marker) has?  How might we test this?
  Vocabulary:
  Art:  Pigment, hue, dye, marker, color, tint, tone, chromatography
  Science:  Chlorophylll, photosynthesis, solution, carontenoids, anthocyanins
  Supplies Needed:  Coffee filters and/or chromatography strips, markers, crushed leaves, spinach etc., rubbing alcohol, scissors, tape, cups, water, pencil, mortar and pestle, pipe cleaners.
  Activity:
  Teachers and students can approach learning CHROMATOGRAHY in an experimental way both as a scientific process and an artistic one using the art or science method/s.
  For leaves, spinach, and organic matter students must use the mortar and pestle to first crush the organic matter and then add a few drops of alcohol to it in order to extract from liquid pigment from the matter.
  For dyes such as inks and/or markers students can draw lines on strips of coffee filter paper and/or chromatography strips and experiment with watching the colors separate from various markers.  Alcohol might be used for permanent markers.
  Results:
  Scientific results can be noted in a science note book.
  Art results can consist of an art object created from the chromatography paper experiments such as a “flower.”
  Resources:  
  Many Youtube videos on chromatography are excellent and brief enough to use as a teaching tool in the classroom.
  Leaf Color Chromatography  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH-AJDqsSII
  Chlorophyll Chromatography  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiPd5CkCkkU
  Chromatography Flowers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpf0vvkb4_8
  
  

Extraordinary Inspiration!

I am often asked why I would work in such a "dangerous" place as Paterson, NJ? Well to be honest my entire teaching career I have taught in mostly such places. And I can tell you they are NEVER what they seem on the outside. Here is what I see when I get to work at one of my many favorite schools in Paterson, NJ. 

I know I see the world through a rose-colored lens, but I will tell you, I love where my eyes live, don't you? By the way THANK YOU Ms. Aramayo (giant Einstein) and Ms. Mandal (flamingos for Puerto Rico and color theory math stairs). You always make my day! I think every student and every one in general should have a chance to compare the insides of something to the outsides of something. And repeat. 

Don't you agree?