1. The Scientific Method: Lesson 7: Coffee Filter Experiment
Science
The Scientific Method:
Lesson 7:
Coffee Filter Experiment
Materials needed:
-coffee filter experiment sheet for each student
-coffee filter strip with a marker dot drawn on it as a sample
Each pair or group of students needs:
-4 coffee filter strips, one inch wide
-clear cup with one inch of water
-results sheet for coffee filters
-ruler
-black, brown, purple, and green Crayola marker (not the
washable kind!)

2. The
Scientific
Method
Today, we’ll wrap up our science unit by using the Scientific Method to perform one final experiment.
Remember that scientists begin by observing their world.
Imagine that one day when you are drawing with a marker, your sister accidentally spills some water on the paper where you drew a line with your marker.
Here is what you might observe…

3. What do you see in this picture?
As a scientist, your observations may lead you to ask some questions.
Tell your partner something you are wondering about. (call on volunteers to share)
Let’s check out the question that we will investigate today. (pass out coffee filter experiment sheet)
When you get your paper, write an 11 in the bottom right corner on the front and a 12 on the back.
Before we look at our sheet, let me quickly remind you of our…

4. Important Experiment
Rules
…important experiment rules.

5. Follow directions carefully!
Remember to … (read)

6. Don't
waste
supplies!
(read)

7. Clean up and return all supplies.
(read)

8. Use
your BEST
behavior.
(read)

9. Using the Scientific Method
Question:
What colors are hidden in the ink of a black, brown, purple, and
green marker?
Hypothesis: These are the colors that I think will be found in the ink:
black = __________________________________________
brown = _________________________________________
purple = _________________________________________
green = __________________________________________
Would someone like to read * the question for today?
It’s time to make * some hypotheses. On the line behind each marker color, write any other colors you think might be hidden in the ink.
Take a minute to share your hypotheses with your partner.

10. Procedure: 1. Cut a coffee filter into strips that are about
1 inch wide.
2. Use a marker to make a dot about 1 inch from
the bottom of a strip. Do the same with the
other three markers on the other three strips.
Let’s take a look at how you will perform the experiment.
Can someone read * step 1?
To save us some time, I have already cut your strips for you.
Can someone read * step 2?
What tool can we use to make sure our dots are about 1 inch from the bottom? (ruler) Here is what your strip should look like (show a sample strip).
Can someone read * step 3?
To prevent overcrowding at the sink, I have already filled your cups for you.
Can someone read * step 4? (demonstrate)
3. Fill a clear plastic cup with about 1 inch of water.
4. Carefully lower the bottom edge of one strip into
the water. Make sure that the ink dot stays
above the water level. Hold the strip in the
water for 15 seconds.

11. 5. Lay the strip in its correct place on the results
sheet and watch as the water spreads through
the strip.
Black Marker
Brown Marker
Purple Marker
Green Marker
Can someone read step 5?
The results sheet looks like this *. (pass out – demonstrate how to use)
Can someone read * step 6?
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each marker.

12. Results: Marker Color Hidden Colors Black Brown Purple Green
On the back of your sheet, you will see a place for you to record your data.
List any colors that you see in the ink of each marker.
(have students perform the experiment)
Let’s check out your results.
How many of you found other colors in the black ink? What colors did you find? (do for all 4 colors)

13. Conclusion:
The ink inside a marker is a mixture of basic colors that are combined to form the color of the marker. As water rises up the coffee filter, the ink dissolves into the water. Some of the colors in the ink rise higher than others. If a color is made with a lighter-weight chemical, it rises higher on the paper. If a color is made with heavier chemicals, it stays near the bottom.
Let’s take a look at the conclusions.
Would someone like to read what it says?
Add this sheet to your binder behind page 10.
Then find your…

14. Hidden Colors Experiment
Word Splash 1
Making Observations 2
Balloon Experiment
3-4
…Table of Contents page.
For the topic, we’ll write…*
The page numbers are…*
The Scientific Method 5- 7
Magnets Experiments
8-10
Hidden Colors Experiment
11-12