Science Smarts: ‘Edible’ science

By Patty Rooks on December 3, 2022.

Many of us are going to be spending some time in the kitchen in the coming weeks getting our Holiday baking ready to share with friends and family. It is going to be quite busy, but I thought we could fit some “edible” science in at the same time. My philosophy is if there is going to be a mess why not make a bigger one and learn at the same time. Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

– Freezer

– Small saucepan

– Stove wooden spoon

– Metal baking pan

– PURE maple syrup

– Measuring cup

– Adult helper

Procedure

1. Place the metal baking pan in the freezer, it is important to have it chilled before we start. About an hour will be perfect!

2. Measure one cup (250 mL of PURE maple syrup into the saucepan.

3. Have an adult helper place the saucepan on the stove over medium heat.

4. Using the wooden spoon, stir the maple syrup continuously as you do not want it to burn.

5. Continue for about ten minutes or until it becomes thick.

6. Remove the pan from the heat.

7. Place the chilled metal pan on a heatproof and sturdy surface.

8. Have our adult helper CAREFULLY (as this is EXTREMELY hot) pour the mixture into the pan.

9. Observe.

What is going on?

Pure maple syrup actually comes from the sap of maple trees. If you have been studying trees in science class, you know that sap is important to a tree as it carries food from the roots to the leaves of the tree. During the spring and summer when the trees have leaves, a process called photosynthesis takes the sunlight and converts it to sugar.

This sugar is what keeps the tree “fed” all season long. Any extra is converted to starch and stored in the roots when there are no leaves in the winter. As the tree realizes it is time to wake up” and start thinking about growing some leaves for the spring, the sap begins to flow into the trunk and branches once again.

This is the perfect time for us to “tap” the maple tress so we can gather this sap, boil it down and have some of this delicious maple syrup for our pancakes!

Teachers – if your school is interested in having a science fair club, make sure you call soon so I can pop by and give you some great pointers!

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact 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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