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Science Fridays – Color Changing Celery

What is it with all this talk about planting a watering seeds‽ How does a seed drink water…it doesn’t have a cup! A great way to introduce little ones to the concept of plants drinking water is with the Color Changing Celery experiment! Children will literally watch as the celery absorbs water, and eventually changes color. This visual, hands-on experiment helps children understand how a seed absorbs water and begins to germinate.  

Materials 

  • Glass jars or cups
  • Fresh celery stalks with leaves
  • Water
  • Food Coloring

Directions

  1. Separate and pick out the celery stalks that have leaves.  Lighter pieces will show more color.
  2. Cut about 1/4 inch off the bottom.  
  3. Fill glass just above half way with water, and 3-5 drops food coloring.
  4. Make a prediction about what will happen.
  5. Check on your experiment each day and discuss observations. Watch the leaves slowly change as they absorbed the colored water!
  6. After 2-3 days, cut the ends off of the celery to see where and how the water traveled up to the leaves.

Look for a book to read with this experiment? Check out The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle!

Have an experiment you think other families will love? E-mail Professor Liz!

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