M&M SCIENCE

Now that we have covered all the safety rules in Science, it was time for a Descriptive Investigation. We're not using the term "experiment" anymore.  "Investigation" it is! 

A Descriptive Investigation involves "collecting qualitative and/or quantitative data to draw conclusions about a natural or man-made system. A descriptive investigation includes a question, but no hypothesis. Observations are recorded, but no comparisons are made and no variables are manipulated.” (TEA, Science Curriculum, August 2010)

So, what better way to do our first Descriptive Investigation on Obervation than with M&M's!  The students were so excited about seeing the M&M's on my desk, and I had to be very clear that they would get to eat some, AFTER our investigation.

The students observed the M&M's using as many of their Five Senses as they could.  They even got to taste ONE during this part.

The students recorded their observations.

What would happen if we placed an M&M in water?  Let's find out!

This generated some interesting conversations about if the M&M was melting,  was the water was taking the color off the candy coated shell, etc...

The students enjoyed this very much!  So we decided to ask the question, what would happen if you added three more M&M's to the water?

And there you go!  A fun Descriptive Investigation!  And the students enjoyed eating more M&M's when they were finished!