Science Buddies
Science Buddies: What Color Are the Leaves Really Turning?
Everyone loves the beautiful colors of fall, but where they come from and how they change color is a mystery. In this project, you will uncover the hidden colors of fall by separating plant pigments with paper chromatography.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Dept. Of Natural Res.: Leaves Changing Color
Scroll below the Fall Color Report on this site for information from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that easily explains why and how leaves change color and why they fall. There are colorful illustrations and appropriate...
Environmental Education for Kids
Eek!: Be the Change: Yard Care
Follow the suggestions here for a fall leaf cleanup in your yard.
Science Made Simple
Science Made Simple: Why Leaves Change Color
This is a site that offers answers to some often hard to answer questions such as why do leaves change colors. Provides an easy to understand answer to the question along with a section that students can read on their own, a puzzle,...
Other
Backyard Nature: Leaves
Why do plants have leaves? Are there leafless plants? Why do leaves fall in the Fall? Discover the answers to these questions and many more as you peruse this site.
US Department of Agriculture
The Science of Color in Autumn Leaves
Coupled with a beautiful photo gallery, the National Arboretum sets out to explain the science behind why leaves of deciduous trees change their color in the autumn months. While temperature effects the colors, learn here what happens in...
Other
Suny E Sf: The Splendor of Autumn
This brief site describes the changes that take place within leaves and the environment which result in the colors we observe in Autumn.
Environmental Education for Kids
Eek!: Why Do Leaves Change Color?
Simple, but thorough explanation of fall colors in deciduous forests. Where the color comes from and how trees lose their leaves.
Science Fun for Everyone
Science Fun: Changing of the Leaves
Learn why leaves change colors in the fall with this science experiment.
Environmental Education for Kids
Eek!: Seasonal Observations: Fall
Fall begins with the autumnal equinox, usually around September 22 or 23. The equinox is the time of the year when we have equal length of night and day.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: What Is Chromatography?
Find out why leaves change color in the fall, and learn how to do paper chromatography to separate the pigments found in a leaf. [4:24]
Other
Catch the Science Bug: Colors in a Leaf [Pdf]
Activity involves collecting leaves to compare green leaves with fall leaves that have changed color. Students will record data on an observation sheet.
Environmental Education for Kids
Eek!: Seasonal Observations
Have you ever wondered what is going on under the snow? Why leaves change colors? How migratory birds find their way? Find the answers and check out these ideas on how to explore, discuss, or celebrate based on our four seasons!
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: I Wonder: Writing Scientific Explanations With Students
Students choose a question to explore, research it using a variety of resources, organize their information on a TCF chart, and then collaboratively write a class scientific explanation.
Curated OER
Leaf Graphic
A friendly information packed site from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that easily explains why and how leaves change color and why they fall. There are colorful illustrations and appropriate vocabulary words with...