Science Smarts: A little something delicious

By Patty Rooks on July 9, 2022.

I kind of have soil on my mind this month. Perhaps it is all of the yard work I am doing! This week, I was digging a hole and WOW I could not believe what I saw. There were a number of layers in the soil. Hmmm… why is this? We had better investigate this with a delicious experiment. Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

• Glass bread pan or any small baking dish will work fine

• Plastic wrap

• Marshmallows

• Graham crackers

• Chocolate ice cream (softened)

• Vanilla ice cream (softened)

• Chocolate chips

• Chocolate cookie sandwiches crushed up

• Freezer

• Glass (microwave safe bowl)

• Microwave

Procedure

1. I suggest using a glass pan so you can see this experiment but any pan will do as you can also remove the experiment and make your observations.

2. If you line the pan with plastic wrap before you start it will make it easier to remove your experiment.

3. Melt approximately 250 mL (one cup) of chocolate chips in the microwave and set them aside to cool slightly. You may want to ask an adult to help you with this as it will be very hot.

4. Place a layer of graham crackers on the bottom of the pan. You may have to break them into pieces to make them fit. You want a good layer here.

5. Add a layer of marshmallows over the bottom layer.

6. Next, add a layer of vanilla ice cream. It should be a bit soft so you can spread it out into a nice layer.

7. Pour the chocolate chips over the previous layer.

8. Spread a layer of chocolate ice cream over the chocolate chips. NOTE: if the ice cream and chocolate chips are too soft, you may have to place this in the freezer for a bit to firm up.

9. Last but not least, add a layer of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.

10. Wrap and place in the freezer for at least two hours (I know this is the hardest part)!

11. Remove from the freezer.

12. Gently lift the experiment out of the pan.

13. Have an adult slice it.

14. Observe.

15. Enjoy!

What is going on?

You created layers of soil just like I had in the hole in my backyard. This is common to see. Soil is composed of layers. The top is humus or organic materials. Then you have the rich topsoil containing organic and inorganic materials which we need to grow things.

There are subsoil layers next. These are often made up of minerals. I like to think of the marshmallow layer as the rocky layer. There are often small rocks broken up here. Last but not least we will reach the bedrock layer. You have worked hard so enjoy!

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact with Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca

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