An important component in learning matter, is being able to measure how much space matter takes up–in other words volume. Measuring the volume of liquids requires the use of a graduated cylinder. Students need practice to use the graduated cylinder effectively. My colleague, Cindy Giove, shared the lab activity, Rainbow Volume with me. It is a fun way for students to practice and an easy way for teachers to assess their growth. Students first start out with beakers of blue, red, and yellow water. They then measure a certain amount of colored water into each test tube. If they follow the directions carefully, and do the measurements accurately they will end up with test tubes with 11 ml of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple water. Download rainbow volume handout. Download rainbow volume key.
Materials: beakers of red, blue, and yellow water, and a 25 ml graduated cylinder
Materials: empty test tubes at the beginning
End results: colors and equal volumes
