2020 Virtual AIChE Annual Meeting

AIChE K-12 Module, Grades K-2 (2) - Science with Marshmallows

Author

Nicholas LaBelle - Presenter, University of Southern California
While marshmallows are a sweet treat, they are also great for displaying scientific principles in daily life experiences. The main components that are found in marshmallows are sugar, gelatin, water, and air. The sugar gives the marshmallow its sweet taste, and the gelatin gives the marshmallow its squishy and bouncy texture. Water and air also help form the correct consistency of the marshmallow. If you have eaten marshmallows at room temperature and after the marshmallow has been heated, you will notice a significant difference in texture, size, and consistency. This experiment will take students through the process of discovering why this is.

Presented by: University of Southern California

Module Topic(s): Thermal/kinetic energy and phase transitions