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What's
the Matter with My Orange?
Background
Information
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Summary:
This center
allows students to use oranges to informally explore decomposition, dehydration,
fermentation, the water cycle, bacteria, yeast, food webs, the needs of living
things, and physical vs. chemical change over a period of three or more months.
Note: Children
who are sensitive to fungi such as mold or yeast should not open the oranges
in ZipLoc bags once the fruit begins to decompose.
Related
Topic(s): decomposition, dehydration, monerans, fungi, change, classification,
nitrogen cycle, water cycle, fermentation, matter (solid, liquid, gas), variables,
needs of living things
Ohio Academic Standards Alignment: Click here to view content standards alignment to Science for Ohio by grade level.
Classroom
Time Required:
- Day 1 = 30 minutes
- Each week = 10 minutes
for small group observation, 10 minutes for discussion and recording
Materials:
- two wide-mouthed jars
with lids (salsa or pickle stacker jars work well)
- four oranges (no bruises
or cuts in the skin)
- scale (0-500 grams
or equivalent)
- microscope (optional)
Background
Information:
- Background Information
Pages. Pages which can be displayed at the classroom center are available
for the following related topics: variables, decomposition, dehydration,
fermentation, the water cycle, bacteria, yeast, food webs, the needs of
living things, and physical vs. chemical change. (See Ready
to Print.)
- Misconception(s).
Misconception: The oranges will eventually disappear/disintegrate into nothing.
Fact: Matter cycles. The solid, liquid, and gas matter in an orange will
eventually change into a form that does not look like an orange, but will
still be a part of the matter of Earth. This will happen most dramatically
in the jarred orange containers as the oranges turn to liquid. Over time,
moisture in the air will break down the dehydrated orange, but this will
likely take longer than your teaching career!
- Expected Results.
Expect the jarred oranges to begin decomposing/fermenting into alcohol
within the first one to three months. Expect the unjarred oranges to become
much harder and lighter as they dehydrate over the next one to three months.
- Cautions. Children
who are sensitive to fungi such as mold or yeast should not open the oranges
in ZipLoc bags once they begin to decompose.