Experiments for clever foodies - Water or oil?

In June 1997, BASF launched Kids’ Lab, the first hands-on chemistry workshop in Europe at its headquarters in Ludwigshafen. It is an interactive, fun and free chemistry education program designed for kids ages six to 12 to discover the world of chemistry through simple and safe experiments.

In 2002, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, BASF Kids’ Lab made its debut in Beijing. Ever since, the program has been brought to cities including Shanghai, Nanjing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Wuhan, Hong Kong, Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taoyuan. It has now reached more than 170,000 children in China. All along, “BASF Kids’ Lab” is welcomed by children and parents and has become a must-go event each summer.

In 2017, BASF celebrates the 20th anniversary of Kids’ Lab, and marks 15 years of Kids’ Lab in China. On this occasion, a series of home experiments are hosted to create a high-quality parenting and interaction atmosphere and stimulate the curiosity and exploration of kids.

Home Experiment

Do you like purple grapes, red tomatoes or green lettuce? Researchers are discovering that many plant pigments from fruits and vegetables are very good for your health. Do you know how to isolate individual pigments from them?

To complete the experiment, you need:

1 carrot
a handful of blueberries, fresh or frozen
about 200 ml of colorless vegetable oil
2 screw-top jars (jam jars or similar)
2 drinking glasses about the same size as the screw-top jars
1 grater
1 fork
1 fine sieve (tea sieve)

IMPORTANT:

Ask an adult to help you use the grater.
Make sure you wash the carrot and blueberries thoroughly and that the kitchen utensils are clean.

Here’s how it’s done:

Peel the carrot and grate it into one of the screw-top jars.
Put the blueberries in the other screw-top jar and mash them with the fork.
Add enough water to the two jars to cover the pieces of carrot and the blueberries.
Add about the same amount of oil.
Close the jars tightly and shake them for a while.
Pour the contents of each jar through the sieve into a fresh glass.

What do you notice?

For more home experiments, please visit：

20 Years Kids' Lab