Sensory Science: Pop Rocks!

Learning using the senses is an important science skill! In this activity, we are going to use our senses (taste, touch, sight, and smell) to explore Pop Rocks.

Materials

• 1 packet of pop rocks

• Magnifying glass, if desired

Directions:

1. Empty Pop Rocks onto a piece of white paper

2. Start with sight. Draw what you see

   • What color are they? What shape are the pop-rocks? Are they a regular or irregular shape? Are they smooth or bumpy? What size are they? How many are there? Do they have holes? Do they sparkle?

3. Next, use your sense of smell. Draw what you smell

   • Is it a good smell or a bad smell? Does it remind you of something, like a fruit or candy?

4. Now, put some in your palm. What do you feel?

   • Do the Pop Rocks feel smooth? Bumpy? Rough? Soft? Can you squish them or are they hard?

5. Now, place them on your tongue

   • What do you taste? Does it taste like a fruit, like candy? Does it taste yummy or gross?

6. Can you hear the Pop Rocks in your mouth? What do they sound like? Do you feel them? Do they feel different than when they were in your hand?