Make a Comet Model and Eat It!

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
In this activity, learners build models of comets, using edible materials, to learn about comets' structure. Learners then use their senses to simulate a spectrometer to analyze "comets" from other teams. This lesson plan includes suggestions for large groups, tips for educators, student research data sheet, explanation, and extensions.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 18
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Sandwich size re-closable plastic bags
  • Gallon size re-closable plastic bags
  • Small cups for eating ice cream
  • Plastic spoons
  • Pairs of rubber kitchen gloves (or cloths or sweaters)
  • Ice (or fresh snow)
  • Chunky cookies in black or brown
  • Crushed candies (like toffee or peppermint)
  • Gummy bears
  • Cococunt flakes
  • Peanuts
  • Whole milk (2% won't work)
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Evaporated milk
  • Salt
  • Can opener
  • Something to use to crush cookies and other additives

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Solar System
      • Asteroids and Comets
  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Aerospace Engineering
  • Life Sciences
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Touch
      • Taste
      • Smell
      • Vision
  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
      • Heat and Temperature
      • Thermodynamics and Entropy
    • States of Matter
      • Solids
      • Liquids
      • Changes of Phase
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Atomic Structure
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Food and Cooking
  • Model Building

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • smell
  • taste
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Rountree-Brown, Maura ; Hammon, Art