So Mike was telling Nadia about a science experiment from junior high and she was all excited to try one of her own. Mike did a little research to see how to attempt it at home and they set everything up. First they had to pick a leaf and Nadia chose one from our Texas Red Oak. The goal here was to remove the green (chlorophyll) from the leaf to show it’s true color before photosynthesis occurs.
Required supplies: leaf, rubbing alcohol, glass, pot to heat the water in.
Nadia putting water in the pot.
Nadia putting alcohol in the glass.
The leaf in the boiling water.
Putting the leaf in the alcohol.
Once the leaf was in the glass, she put the glass back into the pot of hot water. She should have seen results in just a few minutes.
And guess what? It didn’t work. After some more reading Mike found that this experiment really works better on something like a spinach leaf, not a thick and hearty Texas Red Oak. It was a delight for me to watch Nadia have so much fun with Mike while attempting this. We will try again and report back.
