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Apple STEM Activity – Practical Engineering Challenge

October 13, 2016
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by Beth Gorden

Apples are a wonderful snack, but when teeth are coming and going like my children’s are, they need to be sliced. Then the apples turn brown. Fast food restaurants solve this problem by adding an acid, but that makes the apple sour. So we decided to create an Apple Stem engineering challenge to solve this real-world problem. This apple activity would be a great topic for a science fair, or just to solve a problem many families face. This apple science will have children creating an artificial skin that will keep the inside of the apple from oxidizing. This apple science experiment is perfect for kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th graders too.

Apple Science Project - This is such a fun, practical engineering challenge for kids using apples. This science project is perfect for fall for prek, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade students in the classroom, science fair project, homeschool, or as a fun weekend project.

Apple Stem

Have you ever wondered why apples turn brown? Or better yet, how to stop apples from turning brown. In this apple stem activity we will explore how we can stop apples from turning brown while exploring the scientific method of problem solving. This stem activity for fall is great for kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 students. So let’s dive right in and explore an Apple STEM project!

Why do apples turn brown?

Oxidation is a process in which oxygen binds to the molecules of the apple. As this happens the flesh of the apple turns brown and a little mushy. In order to prevent this process you can bind something else to the flesh of the apple, which is what the restaurants do. The down side is that the flavor of the apple is distorted. Another possible solution is to protect the flesh of the apple from the air. This is the challenge for your child.

why do apples turn brown? An engineering challenge with apples

Apple Stem Activity

For this experiment you will need apple slices and whatever your child chooses to make a skin to help the apple not turn brown such as: plastic, foil, and cheese.

fall science project for kids - stop apples from turning brown

Apple Science

Control and experimental variables

When testing your child’s solutions be sure to compare against an apple slice that is open to the air. This is known as the control group. By watching the control apple slice turn brown, you can decide when you should evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies. The various skins are the experimental variables, and the apples wearing them are the experimental groups.

 

control apple for practical engineering change perfect for science fair project

Apple Science Experiment

Science as a cyclical process

If your child finds something that seems to work, discuss how the solution could be improved. Try again. One of the things that experts are really emphasizing right now is the importance of seeing the
scientific process as cyclical. Go through a set of trials, analyze your results, then go through another set of trials.

Who knows, your child may come up with the solution we are all using to pack lunches five years from now!

apple pie slime activity  If you are looking for apple activities, look no further than this fluffy green apple slime! This laffy taffy slime has such a fun pillow-like texture, smells amazing, and looks like a pale green granny smith apple. Use this apple slime has a fun fall activity for kids of all ages from toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd graders too. This apple activities for preschoolers is not to be missed!  apple playdough fluffy yellow apple slime

Apple Activities

apple life cycle printable Amaze your kids with this colorful apple science project! This apple experiment is quick, easy, and the perfect apple activity for kids of all ages from toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, and first graders. All you need are a 2 simple materials for this apple science experiment that is sure to delight and teach yougn children. Use this apple activities for your upcoming apple theme preschool or as an engaging activities for September. apple-science-experiment-worksheet apple volcano science activities

Apple Science

Help kids get excited about science with this fun apple experiment that is perfect for September. In this apple science, children will melt the apples with a simple, easy science activity using a baking soda and vinegar experiment. All you need are a few simple materials to try this apple activity this fall. Try this apple science experiment with preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grders too. So add this apple activities to your upcoming apple theme or list of activities for September.apple oxidation experiment apple erruptions science experiment

Apple Experiments

 

Apple Tree Bubble Wrap Craft Apple Core Paper Plate Craft for Preschoolers  This gorgeous paper plate apple craft makes such a lovely apple craft for kids to make in September, for an apple theme, or as they celebrate with a back to school craft. The apple crafts preschool, toddler, pres-k, kindergarten, first grade, and 2nd graders creates a cross section of an apple using a variety of techniques that strengthen coordination and hand muscles while creating a apple art project. Really pretty, fun-to-make, EASY apple crafts for kids. Try this fall craft for preschoolers and kindergarten in September.

Apple Crafts for Kids

a is for apple printable  Low prep, apple themed alphabet identification strips are a fun literacy activity for September! Simply download the pdf file, print, and you are ready to help kids work on letter recognition with ah ands on activity for preschool, pre k, kindergarten, and 1st grade students.  In addition to practicing identifying uppercase and lowercase letters, children will be practicing their fine motor skills with these fun activity strips! Apple ABC Game

Apple Activities for Kids

 johnny appleseed activities  i spy apple worksheets Celebrate apple month this September with these fun apple printables! These apple playdough mats allow children to practice counting and using a ten frame with the tactile addition of playdough! Use these counting playdough mats as an apple math for toddler, preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten age students. Simply print apple activities for preschoolers and you are ready to play and learn in your apple theme.

Apple Printables

Count to 20 Hole Punching Apple Munching  FREE Apple Preschool Worksheets  Count to 10 Apple Playdough Mats FREE Apple Multiplication Game - this free printable math game for fall is LOW prep and perfect for practicing alone or with a friend. for 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade students #mathgames #multiplication #apples

Apple Math

Looking for more fun apple and activities and free apple printables? You will love these apple activities for kindergarten and apple activities for preschoolers!

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About the author

Beth Gorden

Beth Gorden is the creative multi-tasking creator of 123 Homeschool 4 Me. As a busy homeschooling mother of six, she strives to create hands-on learning activities and worksheets that kids will love to make learning FUN! She has created over 1 million pages of printables to help teach kids ABCs, science, English grammar, history, math, and so much more! Beth is also the creator of 2 additional sites with even more educational activities and FREE printables - www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com and www.preschoolplayandlearn.com

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