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The Rotting Apple Experiment: A Fun Science Activity for Kids

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The Rotting Apple Experiment: A Fun Science Activity for Kids

Are you looking for an exciting and educational science experiment to do with your kids? Look no further than the Rotting Apple Experiment! This hands-on activity is perfect for homeschoolers, curious young scientists, and anyone interested in exploring the fascinating world of decay. Let’s dive into this engaging experiment that will teach your children about food preservation, microbiology, and the scientific method.

Why Does Food Decay?

Have you ever wondered why that forgotten apple in your fruit bowl starts to shrivel and turn brown? It’s all thanks to the tiny microorganisms that surround us! Bacteria, fungi, and yeasts feed on fruits and vegetables, breaking them down in a process we call decay.

But here’s an interesting fact: fruits and veggies that are kept in the refrigerator stay fresher longer. Why? The cold temperature slows down the growth and reproduction of those pesky microorganisms, putting the brakes on decay.

The Rotting Apple Experiment: What You’ll Need

Ready to see decay in action? Gather these simple materials:

  • 1 Apple
  • Four clear containers
  • Knife
  • Marker
  • Water
  • Vinegar
  • Oil

How to Conduct the Rotting Apple Experiment

Follow these easy steps to set up your experiment:

  1. Cut and core the apple into four equal segments.
  2. Place each apple segment into a separate clear container.
  3. Label the containers as follows:
    • Container 1: “Air” (leave the apple slice exposed)
    • Container 2: “Vinegar” (submerge the apple slice in vinegar)
    • Container 3: “Water” (completely cover the apple slice with water)
    • Container 4: “Oil” (submerge the apple slice in oil)
  4. Observe and record changes in each container daily.

A Glimpse at our results from The Rotting Apple Experiment


The following image represents Day 1 of experimenting:

The following image represents the status of our experiment on day 4:

There are many ways to preserve food or slow or stop the activity of the micro-organisms that make the fruit decay. Besides refrigeration, you can freeze, can, or pickle foods to protect them. We are observing how decay changes when we submerge the fruit with different elements.

As you can see from the photos and video, the air was the quickest way for the apple to decay, while vinegar prevented mold from growing on the apple. This is because vinegar has antimicrobial properties, which means that vinegar stops or kills microorganisms. The oil sample also didn’t decay as rapidly because certain oils contain elements that slow down the decaying process. Water showed an increase in mold because the microorganisms thrived in the moist environment and reproduced.

Printable Worksheet: Enhance Your Learning Experience

We’ve created a comprehensive printable worksheet to make the most of your Rotting Apple Experiment. This educational resource is designed to guide your child through the scientific process, from forming a hypothesis to drawing conclusions based on their observations.

The worksheet includes:

  1. A hypothesis section where kids can predict what will happen to each apple slice
  2. Daily observation logs for recording changes in each environment
  3. Conclusion questions to encourage critical thinking about the experiment results
  4. Bonus questions to expand learning beyond the experiment
  5. A drawing section for visual learners to illustrate their favorite part of the experiment

This worksheet not only reinforces the scientific concepts explored in the experiment but also helps develop important skills such as:

  • Careful observation and data recording
  • Analyzing results and drawing conclusions
  • Comparing predictions with actual outcomes
  • Communicating scientific findings through writing and drawing

By using this worksheet alongside the experiment, you’re providing a well-rounded, hands-on learning experience that caters to different learning styles and reinforces key scientific principles.

Free Download

The Rotting Apple Experiment Worksheet

What to Expect: Observing Decay in Different Environments

As you and your children watch the apple slices over the next few days, you’ll notice fascinating changes:

  • Air: This slice will likely decay the fastest, as it’s exposed to all the microorganisms in the air.
  • Vinegar: You might be surprised to see little to no mold growth! Vinegar has antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of decay-causing organisms.
  • Water: This environment may promote mold growth, as microorganisms thrive in moist conditions.
  • Oil: The oil-submerged slice may decay more slowly, as certain oils have preservative properties.

The Science Behind Food Preservation

This experiment is a great way to introduce kids to food preservation. Discuss how different methods, such as refrigeration, freezing, canning, and pickling, all work to slow down or stop the activity of decay-causing microorganisms.

Video Tutorial: Watch the Rotting Apple Experiment in Action

Extended Activities: Taking the Experiment Further

Want to dive deeper into the world of decay and preservation? Try these extended activities:

  1. Temperature Test: Set up the same experiment, but place one set in the refrigerator and one at room temperature. Compare the rates of decay.
  2. Different Fruits: Repeat the experiment with various fruits or vegetables. Do some decay faster than others?
  3. Microscope Exploration: If you have access to a microscope, examine samples from each container to see the microorganisms up close.
  4. pH Testing: Test the pH of each environment before and after the experiment. How does pH relate to decay?

Benefits of the Rotting Apple Experiment

This simple yet effective experiment offers numerous benefits for young learners:

  1. Hands-on Science: Kids learn best by doing, and this experiment provides a tangible way to observe scientific principles in action.
  2. Critical Thinking: Encourage children to form hypotheses about which apple will decay fastest and why.
  3. Observation Skills: Daily tracking of changes hones children’s ability to notice and record details.
  4. Real-world Applications: Understanding decay and preservation has practical applications in daily life, from food storage to composting.
  5. Introduction to Microbiology: This experiment offers a kid-friendly entry point into the fascinating world of microorganisms.

Great Books to Complement Your Experiment

Enhance your learning experience with these wonderful books about decay, microorganisms, and the scientific method:

  1. “Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes” by Nicola Davies
  2. “A Mold is Born” by Julia Kuo
  3. “Germs: Fact and Fiction, Friends and Foes” by Lesa Cline-Ransome
  4. “The Magnificent Microworld” by Misha Maynerick Blaise
  5. “11 Experiments That Failed” by Jenny Offill

Embracing the Messy Side of Science

The Rotting Apple Experiment might be a bit messy, but it’s an incredibly valuable learning experience. It teaches kids that science isn’t just about pristine lab coats and shiny equipment – sometimes, it’s about getting your hands dirty (figuratively, of course – always practice good hygiene!) and observing the natural world around us.

So, gather your materials, set up your experiment, and get ready to watch decay in action. Who knew that rotting apples could be so fascinating? Happy experimenting, young scientists!

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