Yeast-Air Balloons

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In this activity, learners make a yeast-air balloon to get a better idea of what yeast can do. Learners discover that the purpose of leaveners like yeast is to produce the gas that makes bread rise. Learners discover that as yeast feeds on sugar, it produces carbon dioxide which slowly fills the balloon.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 4 - 18
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 1 packet of active dry yeast
  • 1 cup very warm water (105° F – 115° F)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • A large rubber balloon
  • A small (1-pint to 1-liter) empty water bottle

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Cells
    • Diversity of Life
      • Plants
      • Protists and Fungi
  • Physical Sciences
    • Chemistry
      • Chemistry of Life

Informal Categories

  • Food and Cooking

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • , The Exploratorium,

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, ESI-0104724