School science projects are often done using Jell-O and fruit. Look at the ingredients in a box of Jell-O and gelatin will be near the top of the list. The gelatin is an animal protein made of chains of amino acids. As the Jell-O cools this protein is what causes it to set. Enzymes in various foods, including some fruits, will break the protein chain down and cause the Jell-O to liquefy. Projects using these commonly obtained items to observe the effects are safe and fun. Another simple project for even younger children is making glowing Jell-O.
Gather Supplies
Obtain Jell-O of any flavor and a variety of fresh fruits. Include fresh pineapple, papaya, figs, kiwi, apples, oranges and bananas. The fruit should be ripe. It should not be canned, as the other ingredients in the can may contaminate the experiment. Small dishes all of the same size will be required, one for each type of fruit to be tested. A measuring cup that shows milliliters will be used along with a food scale. Masking tape and a marker will be used to label the dishes. A notebook and pen are needed to record the results. A digital camera will be used to photograph the results.
Prepare the Ingredients
Label each dish neatly using tape and a marker with the type of fruit that will be added. Label one dish "Jell-O only." This will serve as a control. Prepare the Jell-O. Measure out 100 mm of Jell-O into each dish that will be tested. Allow the Jell-O to set overnight. The next morning peel the fruit. Cut and weigh the fruit to obtain 1-oz. or 30-gram pieces (depending on what the scale shows). Create a well in the Jell-O with a spoon. Place a piece of each type of fruit in one of the wells. Refrigerate the dishes overnight.
Observe and Record the Results
Examine the control dish to ascertain that the Jell-O did not break down. Examine each dish of Jell-O and fruit and record the results in a notebook. Take pictures of each dish to place on a poster.
Record the Conclusions
Record the conclusions reached. Which fruits contain enzymes that broke down the Jell-o? Which ones mildly affected the Jell-O? Which ones did not affect the Jell-O at all?
Prepare Your Display
Prepare your display including neatly printed labels and descriptions for the poster, photographs and your notebook according to the rules of the science fair.
Glowing Jell-O
Prepare Jell-O as directed on the box, except use tonic water instead of regular water. Add some canned cubed pears or peaches. Spray molds with a nonstick spray. Pour the Jell-O into the molds and let them set. As an alternative pour the Jell-O in a flat pan and cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Cut small viewing holes in the side of a cardboard box. Cut another hole in the end of the box. At the science fair unmold the Jell-O. Turn out the lights and shine a black light through the hole in the end. View it through the holes in the side. Regardless of the flavor of Jell-O that was used, it will glow blue under the black light. This is because of the fluorescence of the quinine in the tonic water. What is even better is that the Jell-O is absolutely safe to eat.
Tags: each dish, type fruit, will used, black light, dish Jell-O, each type, each type fruit
