Jello & the sun

AFTER you've done your research and concluded your experiments, it is time to prepare for the science fair. Ask specific questions about preparing for a science fair, including how to set up your display board, how to prepare a presentation, etc. (Please post questions about selecting a project or conducting your experiment by posting in the appropriate "area of science" forum.)

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wilmington1959
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 6:43 pm
Occupation: student: 6th grade
Project Question: In the project "Which Fruits can Ruin Your Gelantin Dessert", it said to use 18 cups. Please tell me if the "cup" is a plastic drinking cup or a "cup" in a measuring cup. Am I to make 18 measuring-cups of jello ? Thank you.
Project Due Date: My project is due on January 7,2013
Project Status: I am just starting

Jello & the sun

Post by wilmington1959 »

My son (6th grade) has a jello project due Feb. 1st. It is to see which brand of jello (comparing 4 brands) melts the fastest in the sun. After 3 hours in the sun, the experiment was moved indoors to use a 500 watt Halagen lamp to substitute for the sun's heat. We are having difficulties in locating references (magazine or newspaper article, book or encyclopedia source). Our question, are you able to recommend any sources that would help support the idea that jello will melt in the sun or when subjected to high temperatures ? Thank you. :?:
theborg
Moderator
Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 12:26 pm
Occupation: Space Test Analyst
Project Question: "To explain all nature is too difficult a task for any one man. 'Tis much better to do a little with certainty and leave the rest for others that come after you, than to explain all things by conjecture without making sure of anything." - Sir Isaac Newton
Project Due Date: N/A
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Jello & the sun

Post by theborg »

wilmington1959,

welcome to the forums and thanks for the question. The main component of Jello that gives it the distinctive jiggily, wiggily structure is gelatin, which is derived from collagen. The link below provides some good insight into the science of gelatin, including it's melting point. At the bottom of the page is a bibliography with additional information resources on the subject.

http://www.gelatin.co.za/gltn1.html

Looks like you will be able to test if the other ingredients in Jello (sugar, food coloring, water) change it's melting point. Sounds fun. Enjoy.
Hope this helps.

theborg
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Science Buddies science fair guide:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_guide_index.shtml

Science Buddies project ideas:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml
wilmington1959
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 6:43 pm
Occupation: student: 6th grade
Project Question: In the project "Which Fruits can Ruin Your Gelantin Dessert", it said to use 18 cups. Please tell me if the "cup" is a plastic drinking cup or a "cup" in a measuring cup. Am I to make 18 measuring-cups of jello ? Thank you.
Project Due Date: My project is due on January 7,2013
Project Status: I am just starting

Re: Jello & the sun

Post by wilmington1959 »

Thank you "Theborg", I will check out the sources ! I greatly appreciate your help !
Quick question, just looking at the titles, are there any that a 6th grader could understand ? If not, would you be able to direct me to a book/encyclopedia written for their level ?

Thank you,
Wilmington1959
theborg
Moderator
Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 12:26 pm
Occupation: Space Test Analyst
Project Question: "To explain all nature is too difficult a task for any one man. 'Tis much better to do a little with certainty and leave the rest for others that come after you, than to explain all things by conjecture without making sure of anything." - Sir Isaac Newton
Project Due Date: N/A
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Jello & the sun

Post by theborg »

I don't know how age appropriate the resources are in the earlier recommendation. However, I did come across this gelatin science buddies project, which gives even more info at an easy to understand level. Project located here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary

There are a couple references cited, but you can also cite this site for info. Just a bit of modification to this experiment and you can test your hypothesis.
Hope this helps.

theborg
----------
Science Buddies science fair guide:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_guide_index.shtml

Science Buddies project ideas:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml
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