The Chemistry of Invisible Inks STEM Kit

Explore How Invisible Inks Are Made

• Inquiry-based hands-on laboratory
• Guided and independent investigations
• STEM Integration

This kit is a unique teaching tool for introducing your students to the fascinating chemistry and physics behind invisible inks, i.e. colorless substances usable for writing that can be made to turn to color using a chemical or physical process. Students investigate how organic fluids and chemical reagents can be used as invisible inks. Relying on historical example, students create various invisible inks (and security) documents for other student groups to analyze and decode! Includes materials for two detailed activities (each with a ‘model’ and ‘inquiry’ investigation paths – a total of four investigational activities). Covered concepts include: data analysis, chemical & physical processes, elements, mixtures & compounds, pH indicators, transmitted vs. reflected light, the periodic table, fluorescent compounds, types of chemical reactions, and hypothesis testing.

The kit includes materials for two detailed activities (each with a ‘model’ and ‘inquiry’ investigation paths for a total of four investigational activities). Covered concepts include data analysis, chemical and physical processes, elements, mixtures and compounds, pH indicators, transmitted versus reflected light, the periodic table, fluorescent compounds, types of chemical reactions, and hypothesis testing.