Updated Mar 17, 2023
Supplies:
Ask the Beavers to create a hypothesis:
What do they think will happen when you place the candy in the water?
Directions
The science behind to explain to Beavers:
Why does the M float? Some parts of this favourite candy are water-soluble. What does water soluble mean? It dissolves in water, of course! Water molecules are able to surround the molecules of the solid and dissolve them into the water.
With this floating M activity, you can see the coloured shell of the candy is water-soluble. However, the special m is not! As the shell dissolves, the M floats free.
Supplies:
Ask the Beavers to make a hypothesis
What do they think will happen to the candy in the water when you add baking soda? Do they think the reaction will be the same for all the candies?
Instructions:
Which candies make the most bubbles?
The science behind it to explain to the beavers.
Since these candies are sour, they are highly acidic, and the resulting reaction with baking soda will produce bubbles of carbon dioxide gas.
Supplies:
Ask the Beavers to make a hypothesis?
Which candy bars do they think will sink? Which candy bars do they think will float?
Instructions:
Which candy bar sinks the quickest?
Which candy bar made it all the way to the bottom of the cup?
Which candy bars float? Or which one sank slowly?
The science behind it to explain to the Beavers
Dense candy bars will sink to the bottom of the cup. The density of the candy, however, depends on what is inside the candy.
Candies with whipped ingredients like nougat, marshmallow, or malted milk will float because their air pockets make them less dense and therefore more buoyant.
Candy that is solid chocolate or filled with peanut butter or caramel will sink because they are denser than the water they are dropped.
Dense objects are closely compacted in substance. Like a rock!
Have Beavers work together in their lodge to create the tallest tower out of marshmallows and spaghetti.
After five minutes, ask them what’s working? What is making this task challenging? What is their strategy to build the tallest tower?
Give each Beaver a piece of paper and colouring supplies. Ask them to invent their own candy.
Here are some brainstorming questions:
Kayla has grown up in Scouting and Guiding, which has led her to pursue a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She is currently a Beaver Scouter with 36th Halifax. Enjoys crafts, cats, and creating programming that excites youth of all ages.
