Celery and Food Coloring

Submitted by Darlene Carver 

Do you like to water the plants in your home and garden? We already know that plants and flowers need water to grow and to love, but what happens after that? Find out what really occurs when you sprinkle that water with this experiment that uses food coloring to show how plants absorb water.

You will need: Tall clear plastic container, water, red food coloring, scissors, celery stalk with leaves.

Fill container half full of water.
Add a few drops of red food coloring and mix well.
Trim the bottom of the celery leaving the leaves on the stalk.
Place the celery stalk in the container and leave overnight for the stalk to "drink" the water. 
The next morning observe what happened.
Let the children tell you where they think the water has gone and what has happened to the celery.
Explain the water has been absorbed into the celery stalk, tinting the stem and leaves red.