Patina Scientist Teacher Guide Patina Scientist Teacher Guide
3rd Grade Science
Duration: 45-60 Minutes
Objective: Observe oxidation and copper color changes.
Materials Needed
Pennies (shiny and old)
White Vinegar
Salt
Paper Towels
Plates or Trays
Student Worksheets
Instructional Sequence
5m
Warm-up: The Mystery of the Green Penny
Hold up a shiny new penny and a dark/greenish old penny. Ask: "These are both pennies, but why do they look different? Where did the green color come from?"
15m
Video: The Statue's Secret
Watch the "History and Meaning of the Statue of Liberty" video.
Crucial Pause Point (8:16)
"What two things caused the statue to turn green?"
Answer: Air (oxygen) and Saltwater/Wind.
20m
Activity: Green Pennies Experiment
Guide students to soak a paper towel in a mixture of vinegar and salt on their plate. Place pennies on top.
Teacher Tip: Explain that vinegar (acid) and salt mimic the harsh ocean environment of the New York Harbor.
The Science: Oxidation
The Statue of Liberty is covered in a thin layer of copper . When copper is exposed to oxygen in the air and moisture (especially salty moisture from the harbor), a chemical reaction occurs called oxidation . This creates a thin layer of copper carbonate, often called a patina . In our experiment, the acetic acid in the vinegar and the sodium chloride in the salt speed up this process, allowing students to see the reaction begin within hours.
Extension: Copper Detectives
Have students look for other copper items at home or around school (roofs, pipes, jewelry) and document if they have started to "patina" (turn green) or if they are still shiny.
Lady Liberty Lab Worksheet Lady Liberty's Lab
The Science of Oxidation
Name:
Date:
Video Discovery
Based on our video, what are the two main things that caused the Statue of Liberty to turn from shiny copper to green?
1
2
Green Pennies Experiment
My Prediction:
What do you think will happen to the shiny penny when it sits in the vinegar and salt?
The Penny: Day 1
Draw it here
The Penny: Day 2
Draw it here
Statue Transformation
In the boxes below, draw what the Statue of Liberty looked like when she first arrived in New York, and what she looks like today.
1886: Shiny Copper
Today: Green Patina
Conclusion:
How does this experiment help us understand the real Statue of Liberty?
Statue Science Slides Statue Science
Understanding Oxidation & The Lady in Green
3rd Grade Lab
Penny for Your Thoughts?
Shiny
New Copper Penny
Green
Old "Patina" Penny
What happened to the old one? Talk with a partner!
The Statue's History
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to celebrate American freedom.
It stands in New York Harbor, surrounded by wind and saltwater .
When it was first built, she was bright and shiny like a new penny!
Liberty Island
Video Break: Lady Liberty
Watch carefully for the science part!
Embedded media
Pause at 8:16 for Discussion
The Science of Green
Copper
Air & Water
=
OXIDATION
"Oxidation is when copper reacts with oxygen and moisture to form a green skin called a patina ."
Green Pennies Experiment
Your Mission
We will recreate the ocean environment of the Statue of Liberty to see if we can make our pennies turn green!
Lab Equipment:
• Shiny Copper Pennies
• Paper Towels
• Vinegar & Salt Mixture
• Laboratory Plate
Lab
Time to start the lab!
Step-by-Step Lab Instructions
1
The Soak
Place a paper towel on your plate. Soak it with vinegar and sprinkle with salt.
2
The Setup
Place 2-3 shiny pennies on top of the wet paper towel.
3
The Wait
Observe your penny now. We will check it again tomorrow to see the transformation!
"This mimics the ocean air and salty wind of Liberty Island!"
Reflection & Art
Now, use your worksheet to draw the Statue of Liberty's big change!
Before
(Shiny Copper)
After
(Green Patina)
Copper Detectives
Oxidation is happening all around us! Copper isn't just for statues and pennies.
Challenge 1