Science Smarts: Autumn science while we still can!

By Patty Rooks on October 22, 2022.

Although we officially said farewell to summer as the autumnal equinox ushered in the first day of fall (back in September), it has not really felt like fall is here…Well, I hear that after a week of record-breaking temperatures and summer like days, it is truly going to feel like autumn out there this coming week. Before autumn misses us completely, I thought we could preserve some of the beautiful leaves out there this year. Let’s get started.

*Remember to ask an adult before you do this experiment.

Materials

• Glycerin

• Water

• Rubber gloves

• Cookie sheet (with a rim on it)

• Leaves

• Rocks

• Measuring cups

Procedure

1. Go for a walk, enjoy the weather and gather some beautiful leaves you would like to preserve.

2. Mix the preserving solution by mixing 125 mL (1/2 cup) of BOTH water and glycerin together. Pour this into the cookie sheet.

3. Add the leaves you gathered on your walk and evenly space them out in the cookie sheet.

4. Add a rock on top of each leaf so that it stays submerged in the preserving solution.

5. NOTE: if you do not have enough preserving solution to cover your leaves just mix up another batch (equal parts glycerin and water).

6. Leave the leaves in the solution for a couple of days.

7. Remove and dry the leaves off. You know they are preserved when they are pliable.

What is going on?

As you went on your walk, I am sure you used your scientific skills of observation and realized there were many colours of leaves surrounding you! I hope you gathered a nice collection of MANY colours As the weather gets cooler, and the sun does not shine as long, the chlorophyll production in the leaves begins to shut down Not having any more chlorophyll , the leaves are no longer green but beautiful shades of red, yellow and orange due to the different chemicals in the different leaves and types of trees (but that is a science lesson for another day!).

I never want the seasons to end, so my way of keeping them around all year long is to preserve something from them. This is one of my favourite ways to preserve leaves as it is the most natural. The moisture that is left in the leaves is simply replaced by the glycerin and water solution you made. The leaf will still seem quite life like even after it is preserved.

Mark your calendars… our annual FREE Family Science Olympics returns on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Medicine Hat College. Hands-on science activities and prizes for all ages. See you there!

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403-527-5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca

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