National STEM Day Activities for Schools, Students and Parents

Baylor is committed to sharing the benefits of discovery throughout our community. We’re proud to join in the celebration of National STEM Day, an opportunity to celebrate innovation and discovery, and encourage students to become the next generation of STEM professionals.

As part of Baylor’s Research Impacts initiative, we’re offering a lesson plan to help schools and families have some hands-on fun while learning about the engineering process. The activity includes step-by-step instructions for a project that can be completed at home or school. Students will often recognize that candies or foods they enjoy include dyes to add color. Chromatography is a way to separate out the different parts of a mixture. Chemists use the process to both analyze and purify products. In this project, students will connect science concepts to everyday foods they enjoy. This activity, approved for students in elementary through high school, is a fun and accessible way to spark curiosity and encourage your student to investigate and discover.

We hope to encourage children to learn more about STEM topics and consider becoming part of the next generation of scientists and engineers!

Materials and Instructions

• You’ll need the following materials to complete the project:
  • Chromatography worksheet (download below)
  • 4 strips chromatogrphy paper
  • 4 toothpicks
  • clear plastic glass filled with inch of water
  • 4 different food dyes
  • Pencil, tape, paper towel, centimeter ruler

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS, CHROMATOGRAPHY WORKSHEET AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.