Bears, Beets, Paper Chromatography

This activity will introduce 9th-12th grade students to liquid chromatography and the mass transfer principles behind it. Featuring a murder mystery theme from "The Office", students will put on their detective hats to determine who left the ransom note. By performing chromatography in various ink samples from around the office, the students will try to match the correct marker to the culprit who left the ransom note and save Angela.

Module details
Topics
Mass Transfer
Best-suited audience
Ninth Grade to Twelfth Grade (approximately ages 14-18)
Interactive?
Yes
Approx. time requirement 15 minutes
AIChE community affiliation
University of Michigan - Graduate Student Members
Approx. # of volunteers
2-3
Recommended audience size
5-8 students at a time