NGSS Connection
This document outlines how the activity might be linked to the NGSS as part of a classroom lesson.
Science Discipline (S):
Chemistry
Topics:
- Gelification
- Temperature
- Particle Motion
- Molecules
- 3 ounce packs of agar agar
- 1 gallon of orange fruit juice
- Two 60mL syringes
- Microwave or hotplate
- Ice chest
- Small cups
- Combine 1 tbsp. of agar agar flakes with 1 cup of orange juice in saucepan
- Stir occasionally while it heats gently
- Connect the syringe to a piece of tubing and pull back on the plunger until the tube is full of the agar solution
- With the tubing coiled and the open ends sticking above the water, place the tubing in an ice bath for at least 5 minutes
- Continue with the other tubing until the solution is gone
- To eject the ‘spaghetti’ from the tubing, pull the plunger all the way out on the syringe before connecting to a piece of agar filled tubing
- Press on the plunger until the tubing is empty into a bowl, transfer small portion to each serving cup
- What variables do you believe are important in this activity? How would you design an experiment to test the effect of the variable on the outcome of the experiment?
- How does the liquid change its shape and properties in this activity?