Why Leaves Change Color in Fall

A 5th Grade Science Fair Project

What Makes Leaves Green?

Leaves contain a green chemical called chlorophyll

Chlorophyll helps plants make food from sunlight

During spring and summer, chlorophyll is very strong

The green color covers up other colors in the leaf

Hidden Colors Are Always There!

Orange and yellow colors (carotenoids) are always in leaves

Red and purple colors (anthocyanins) can appear in fall

These colors are hidden by the strong green chlorophyll

Like wearing a green shirt over a colorful t-shirt

What Triggers the Color Change?

Shorter days mean less sunlight for the leaf

Cooler temperatures slow down the leaf's processes

Chlorophyll breaks down and stops being made

Hidden colors can finally show through

Trees prepare to drop their leaves for winter

Science is All Around Us!

Next time you see colorful fall leaves, remember that those beautiful colors were hiding there all summer long, just waiting for the right conditions to appear.

Try this at home: Collect leaves of different colors and observe them with a magnifying glass!