Flamin' Hot Science: Sixth Graders Ignite Their Understanding of Food Energy
Sixth graders in Mr. Aaron Murray’s science class recently had the exciting opportunity to explore the energy stored in food through a calorimetry lab. With goggles on and alcohol burners in hand, students burned a variety of snack items, including chips, crackers, and more, to better understand how food contains and releases energy.
By measuring the heat released during the burning process, students calculated the number of calories and kilocalories per gram in each snack, giving them a tangible way to grasp how energy is stored in food. As they conducted the experiment, they made detailed observations about the flames, such as how the fire burned, the type of residue left behind, and the size, color, and intensity of the flames. “It’s an eye-opening experience,” Mr. Murray said. “Many of the kids start questioning the foods they eat as they watch the various colored flames erupt from their snacks.”
After completing this experiment, the class will shift their focus and examine the larger systems that influence food production and distribution. They’ll explore the energy and resources required to get food from farm to table, connecting the science of food energy to real-world applications.
It’s been a fun and engaging start to the unit, and the sixth-grade scientists are eager to dive deeper into these important energy concepts!
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
