Activity
米ake Your Own Marshmallows
Next time you get set to make hot cocoa on a chill winter afternoon, consider this: if you make your own marshmallows, you can mix up some very interesting third grade chemistry lessons while you're at it!
Here's the deal: marshmallows depend on gelatin, a common household ingredient. But for third grade scientists, gelatin is also a great way to demonstrate how molecules can rearrange to change matter from one state to another. Follow the directions below to see just what can happen when gelatin meets some sugar, cornstarch, and heat.
What You Need:
- 2 envelopes of plain, unflavored gelatin
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1/3 cup confectioner's sugar
What You Do:
- 在一个小碗,combine the cornstarch and confectioner's sugar. Grease the sides of a 9” square baking pan, and place a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper, cut to size, along the bottom and then grease that, too. Use a bit of the cornstarch mixture to dust the bottom and sides of the greased pan.
- Now place the contents of the two packets of gelatin into a small saucepan, and mix in the ½ cup of cold water. Let it stand for one minute, and then cook and stir over low heat until the gelatin is fully dissolved. (What's happening? The water has spread out the special protein fibers that make up the gelatin, and the heat has dissolved their original bonds. That's why the gelatin seems to “dissolve” into the water.)
- Now pull out a mixing bowl, and blend the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla. Add the gelatin mixture, and beat the whole mixture thoroughly—for up to 12-15 minutes—with an electric mixer. Watch the mix become thick and creamy. Pour it into the greased baking pan, and let it stand at room temperature for at least 4 hours. (What happens: the protein bonds will begin to re-form as the gelatin cools…but now it's mixed with other ingredients, so it will hold them together, too, in classic “marshmallow” texture.
- After four hours, or overnight, place the white sheet on a cutting board which has been sprinkled with the remaining cornstarch-sugar mixture. Cut into cubes with a knife (hint: it's helpful to dip the knife into hot water first, to keep marshmallow goo from sticking!)
- Roll the cut-up marshmallows in the cornstarch mixture to keep them dry to the touch…and then devour!
Related learning resources
米ake Your Own Wrapping Paper
Activity
米ake Your Own Wrapping Paper
米ake your own wrapping paper with some materials from around the house. Try to make your own wrapping paper this year for a unique presentation for your gifts.
3rd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Sizing Up Marshmallows
Science project
Sizing Up Marshmallows
米arshmallows are made of sugar, water, and air pockets. Since the marshmallow is flexible, will air pressure cause it to expand when heated in a microwave?
3rd grade
Science project
米ake Your Own Kente Cloth
Activity
米ake Your Own Kente Cloth
Celebrate Black History Month by having your child make her own version of a kente cloth after learning what the different colors on a kente cloth symbolize.
3rd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
米ake Your Own Flag!
Activity
米ake Your Own Flag!
Here's a fun activity that will allow your child to express himself by making a flag of his own design, then writing an accompanying story.
3rd grade
Social studies
Activity
米ake Your Own Inferences 2
Worksheet
米ake Your Own Inferences 2
Use this resource to give your students extra practice making their own inferences based on simple sentences.
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
米ake Your Own Soap
Activity
米ake Your Own Soap
Encourage your child to think outside the bathtub by making her very own handmade soaps! Perfect as a present, a decoration, or just to pamper herself.
4th grade
Science
Activity
米ake Your Own Glass Cleaner
Activity
米ake Your Own Glass Cleaner
米aking your own glass cleaner is easy, effective and inexpensive!
3rd grade
Science
Activity
米ake Your Own Notepad
Activity
米ake Your Own Notepad
Your child will put all those extra paper bags to good use and assemble her own personal notepad.
3rd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
米ake Your Own Inferences
Worksheet
米ake Your Own Inferences
Use these simple sentences to get your students started in making their own inferences!
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
米ake Your Own Election Book
Worksheet
米ake Your Own Election Book
Let future leaders get a taste of American politics with their very own election book!
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
米ake Your Own Olympic Rings
Activity
米ake Your Own Olympic Rings
Show your third grader how to craft his own version of the symbolic Olympic rings using some easy-to-find art supplies!
3rd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
米ake Your Own: Two Truths and One Lie
Worksheet
米ake Your Own: Two Truths and One Lie
Use this creative reading and writing worksheet to have your child make their own two truths and one lie game to share with a friend.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
See this activity in a set:Coolest Science Experiments