Holiday STEM Activity: Paper chromatography for All Ages

Holiday STEM Activity

Looking for an easy and fun holiday STEM activity? It’s Christmas-y, it’s chemistry, it’s chromatography!

Every year on the last day before winter break, my students do this little paper chromatography craft that has become a favorite.

It’s simple, not very messy, and keeps kids engaged for a whole class period while we listen to holiday tunes and get in the spirit of the season.

I’ve done this activity with my middle school and high school students, as well as my own toddlers at home, and they all enjoyed it!

Materials Needed

Summary: Students create their own holiday ornaments out of coffee filter paper. After cutting out and coloring the paper with washable markers, students use a pipe cleaner as a capillary and observe the colors spreading into their component parts as they travel across the paper.

Learning Goals:

Students practice creativity while observing a simple separation/filtration technique.

Time Required: Around 60 minutes.

Materials Needed:

- - Tracing pattern – I made this Google Doc with simple light patterns (fits 10 lights per Melitta cone filter)
  - Coffee filter paper – I highly recommend these white Melitta filters for the best results. I’ve had students experiment with different types of paper (a fun and easy extension activity) and the color spreads most clearly on these ones.
  - Washable markers – I like these classic Crayola markers, but anything labeled “washable” should work
  - Pipe cleaners – They always go for the red and green so I’m getting these cute holiday colored ones this time
  - 9 oz clear plastic cups
  - Popsicle sticks
  - Scissors
  - Water
*These are affiliate links, so if you buy through my link I get a small fee which I use to keep my blog and lessons free for users.

How to Set Up your Holiday STEM Activity

Watch the video below for a quick look at how to do this fun holiday STEM craft. I’ve also written out the step-by-step instructions if you prefer more details. Happy crafting!

Trace lightbulbs onto filter paper (I like to rip the cone filters open on one side first) or draw your own ornament
Cut out the lightbulb/ornament
Color the filter paper with washable markers. NOTE: When the solvent (water) hits the ink, it will separate into its component colors (i.e. green will give you blue and yellow). This is helpful to keep in mind as you are coloring. If you color the whole ornament in primary colors, you won’t see any separation (i.e. If you color it red, you will just see red spreading across the paper).
Cut a pipe cleaner to about an inch taller than your cup. Poke one end into the center of your ornament.
Fill the cup with a little water and place the popsicle stick across the top. The popsicle stick will hold your filter paper so it doesn’t fall into the cup.
With the filter paper ornament on one side of the pipe cleaner, place the other end of your pipe cleaner into the water cup. The water will slowly draw up the pipe cleaner and into your filter paper.
If you wish to speed up the process you can use a damp pipe cleaner. OR you can skip the pipe cleaner altogether and use a dropper to put one drop of water in the center of your paper. I still recommend doing this on top of a cup with the popsicle stick holding it so it doesn’t get ink all over your desks.

Why I love This Activity

High engagement – You won’t believe how long a bunch of 15 year olds will spend doing this. I’m always amazed at how it captures their attention to revert back to some childhood “coloring” and just enjoy socializing with each other while they work.
Builds positive class culture – I hang a long string across my classroom for students to tape their lights to when they are dry. By the end of the day, the whole classroom is covered in beautiful, colorful paper lights and it makes everyone feel included and cheerful. I love that they all contribute to our classroom. (A lot of kids like to take some home too)
Easy accommodations for language learners & different cultures – I love doing lights instead of ornaments since not all my students celebrate Christmas. It’s also super easy to share visual instructions for the activity.
Endless extensions – This activity lends itself to many fun extensions for higher level learners! They love to experiment with different colors, shapes, paper types, etc.