Brief summary: In this very quick, very simple experiment, we determined the ability of different inks (Crayola Magic Marker vs. permanent marker) to dissolve in different solvents: water (a polar solvent) and rubbing alcohol (a non-polar solvent). The general rule of solvents and solutes is "like dissolves like". Based on the ability of an ink to dissolve (smear) in a certain solvent, you can determine the polarity of the ink molecules.
Student results: permanent marker on top, Magic Marker on the bottom, water on the left, alcohol on the right.