Double Creek School: February 2020

Kirkland Funhouse Treats were used in our experiments

Swedish Fish- 7 bags

Skittles- 1 bag

First, we opened the giant bag of candy, sorted the 8 candy types, and counted how many of each type were in the bag:

Gold bears- 16 bags

Twizzlers- 72 bags

Starburst- 43 bags

Sweetarts chews- 7 bags

Nerds- 35 boxes

Sour Patch Kids- 42 bags

Noting the strong imbalance of candy types represented in the bag, we decided to do a taste test to rank the candies from favorite to least preferred.

Scientific exploration #1: Candy Preference Order

In order to compare like items as much as possible, the students chose to compare the red or pink colored candies in each package.

Samples were prepared, and the kids began the arduous task of candy tasting.

The results were as varied. With Nerds and Starburst being favorites, and Sour Patch Kids and Twizzlers being least favorite (but all being O.K.). We will use this information to introduce the concept of the caucus in social studies on another day.

We also plan to write a letter to Kirkland company, using graphs to show our data and explaining that some kinds candies were underrepresented in the purchased bag. The possibility of a response from Kirkland is very motivating for them.

Scientific exploration #2: Solubility of Candy Coating

For our first scientific observation, we placed multi-colored candies around the edge of a plates and poured enough water to pool around the candies.

We also watched some short videos showing how candy is made. There were some good hypothesis about why some candies bleed color more than others, based upon their ingredients.

Scientific exploration #3: Testing for Acid in Candy

After some playtime, we investigated the concept of acidity.

To demonstrate acidity, the kids tasted a lemon and gave their best sour face.

Weighing the candy

We prepared each kind of candy for the acidity experiment: we weighed the same amount of each candy, and dissolved it into 1/4 cup of water. We labeled the candy type on each mug.

We then added baking soda to the mix to see if it would release gas- the bubbles are a sign that the acid is reacting to the baking soda. The kids had good ideas about which candies would react to the baking soda. They were mostly right...

Watching for gas bubbles

Scientific exploration #4: Twizzler Tower Building

Finally, we did an engineering challenge: build the tallest twizzler structure.

The kids tried again and again to design the tallest stable structure using their allotment of Twizzlers candy.

Many structures sagged and could not stand unsupported for 10 seconds, so the designs were altered until stability was achieved.

Everyone had lots of fun as we reinforced mathematical and scientific concepts on this special day.