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New York Agriculture in the Classroom

Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix

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Burn a Peanut- Count Calories

A peanut will burn producing an impressive amount of flame for a long time. The flame can be used to boil away water and count the calories contained in the peanut. A great way to show students how calories are calculated for energy in our bodies.

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Materials
  • fresh peanuts
  • 20 mL or larger test tubes (larger tubes are better)
  • test tube holders (ring stand with test tube clamp)
  • 10 mL of water (measure with a graduated cylinder)
  • large paper clips
  • aluminum plates
  • sticky tape
  • matches
  • scale
Procedures

See website for detailed instructions.

Author

Paul Doherty-Scientific Explorations

Lessons Associated with this Resource