Every year, right around springtime, we get hit with the big statewide test. I usually do fun activities in the afternoon to balance all that stress out. I load up on bunches of springtime candy, such as peeps and jelly beans, and household items like vinegar, detergent, eggs, food coloring, salt, etc. Then, we use those items to do lots of fun experiments! You can get the booklet with instructions, recording sheets, and supply list here if you’d like. There are 6 experiments in total.
Jelly Bean Taste Test
For this activity, I prepared a small container of flavored jelly beans (2 of each flavor) for each student. That’s all you need, but if you’d like the pages I used, you can get them here: Peeptastic Science!
First, students answer some prediction questions about what they think will happen in the experiment. Next students observe the jelly beans and record their observations in their notebooks. They take notes on color, shape, texture, etc. Then, the fun part comes in! Students are partnered up and, one at a time, cover their eyes and taste each bean. Their partner records their flavor guesses for them in their notebook. Once they are done, they switch, and the other person does the same. After the blindfolded part, they take another taste test with their eyes open and record the results. Once the experiment is over, students reflect on their data. I have them determine their accuracy percentage for blindfolded vs. eyes open results. Then, they answer some open-ended reflection questions in their notebooks.
Microwaveable Peeps
Another experiment that we do is to blow up some peeps! Don’t worry! We just used a microwave. 😉 All you need for this are two different types of peep for each group, a plate, and a microwave. Students predict what they think will happen to the Peep if they put it in the microwave for 30 seconds. They record their predictions, and then I give each group two types of Peeps: one chick and one bunny.
They observe the Peeps in their present form and record them in their notebooks. Then I bring each group, one at a time, up to my small group table, where I have the microwave. We put the peeps in the microwave and observe what happens. Then, students head back to their desks to record their observations and answer their reflection questions. This is always a class favorite!
Dissolving Peeps
For this experiment, you will need a tray holding some liquid, two peeps for each group, a plastic spoon, vinegar, and baking soda. I have students predict what they think will happen to their peep if they put baking soda on it and what they think will happen if they add vinegar. They record all of this in their notebooks. Once they have read the procedures, I have them begin the experiment.
While completing the experiment, I have them record their observations as they go. They will want to do this one over and over again! After they have all had a turn to test the reaction, they complete the reflection pages together as a group. All answers must be in complete sentences. This is great practice for them.
There are 3 more experiments in the pack: Liquid Peeps, Bouncing Eggs, and Egg Crystals. You can get those and all of the experiments above by visiting my TpT store. Each experiment comes with a page listing the supplies needed and the procedures for the experiment, prediction questions for the students to answer before they complete the experiment, a place for them to record any observations during the experiments, and reflection questions they must answer about the data they found. Get the full pack here.
