Purple pH Painting
Get ready to let your inner chemist shine as we turn household items into chemistry tools to explore the world of acidity. Learn how grape juice can reveal hidden properties of materials and test your newfound skills in an unexpected challenge!
This activity, best for grades 3-8, is ~45 minutes with a 3+ hour mid-activity break for drying time. Purple pH Painting is aligned to the NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter and the Science and Engineering Practices of Planning and Carrying Out Investigations and Analyzing and Interpreting Data.
Required Materials: Each student will need 1-2 pieces of paper, scissors, a paintbrush or q-tips, a small cup of grape juice, a plate or tray to paint on, and a science notebook or sheet of paper to record data on. They will also need safe acids, bases, and neutral liquids like vinegar, baking soda, dish soap, lemon juice, and water.