Activity Introduction

Quick summary: In this activity students conduct an experiment to see how different substances found in the kitchen can help to preserve food.

These Snappy Science resources have been created to boost science education in primary schools across Australia. Each lesson is designed to support teachers with the scientific knowledge, ideas and resources to stimulate a sense of wonder and curiosity in their students. Many of the big issues that Australian society will face in the future are around technology, energy, resources and climate change. All of these require students to engage with science – but most of all to enjoy science!

Science at Home: These Snappy Science resources can also be used to engage families in fun science and learning for life. You can download a student friendly version of this activity here and you can also check out the Snappy Science Digital Library.

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking.

Australian Curriculum content description: This activity is relevant to Science Inquiry Skills across all primary year levels of the Australian Curriculum.

Year 2 Science

  • Different materials can be combined, including by mixing, for a particular purpose (ACSSU031)

Year 4 Science

  • Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties; These properties can influence their use (ACSSU074)

Syllabus Outcomes: ST1-12MW, ST2-13MW. 

Time required: 10 – 15 minutes to set up experiment, 10 – 15 minutes observation after one week.

Resources required: 1 apple sliced into 6 equally sized pieces, 6 small jars, each large enough to hold a slice of apple, permanent marker, several paper plates, tongs or fork, enough of the following substances to fill one jar each: salt, sugar, antibacterial hand soap, vinegar, water.

Safety advice: Ensure students handle rotting food carefully. Dispose of food waste in the bin when activity is complete. Depending on student age and ability this activity may be either a student-led experiment or a teacher-led demonstration.

Keywords: Food, waste, rotting, preservatives.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Brief summary:

In this activity students conduct an experiment to see how different substances found in the kitchen can help to preserve food.

Students can use the Predict, Observe, Explain table on the Student Worksheet to describe and reflect upon this experiment.

You will need:

  • 1 apple sliced into 6 equally sized pieces
  • 6 small jars, each large enough to hold a slice of apple
  • Enough of the following substances to fill one jar each:
    • Salt
    • Sugar
    • Antibacterial hand soap
    • Vinegar
    • Water
  • Permanent marker
  • Several paper plates
  • Tongs or fork

What to do:

Step 1. Using the permanent marker label each jar with the following: 'salt',' sugar', 'hand soap', 'vinegar', 'water', and 'control'.

Step 2. Place a piece of apple inside each jar. Completely cover each piece of apple with the substance you wrote on the label (for example, in the sugar jar cover the apple with sugar). Don’t add anything to the ‘control’ jar.

Step 3. Set all the jars in a cool, dry plac

...
 
- or - to view worksheets

Student Worksheet

In this activity you will experiment with testing how different materials affect the speed at which pieces of apple start to rot.

Predict

Explain what you think will happen:

Observe

Explain what happened:

Explain

Explain why you think this happened:
...
 
- or - to view worksheets

Leave your Feedback

We appreciate your feedback. Let us know what you like or don't like about this activity:

Sorry. You must be logged in to view this form.