Apple Activation: More Fun and Fruity Experiments for Families

Grade level: K - 2

Supplies and Materials:

• 1 apple
• plate
• paper
• writing utensil
• safety scissors
• knife or apple corer (for supervisor use)

Procedure:

1. Gather one or more washed apples along with a plate, paper and writing utensil.  Create labels: stem, leaves, flesh, seeds, skin, and calyx. Or print out this PDF and cut out the labels.
2. Pull the stem off the apple core. Discuss that the stem is what attaches the apple to the apple tree, bringing water and nutrients to the apple. Place the stem label on the stem. If the apple has leaves, discuss and label them as well.
3. Parent or supervisor: Using a knife or apple corer/slicer, cut a slice of apple.  Touch, smell, and taste the skin and discuss why apples have skin (to protect the apples flesh and seeds). Place the skin label on the skin.
4. Look at the peeled apple flesh.  The flesh is the sweet part of the apple that we can eat.  Take a bite and describe the flavor, texture, and juiciness. Place the flesh label on the apple flesh.
5. Pull some seeds out of the core. Look closely at the seeds and think about why they are found inside the apple and what they could be used for (growing new apple trees!). Label the seeds.
6. Slice the bottom off the core. Look for plant tissue (usually dried and brown in color) at the bottom of the core. This is called the calyx. Apples develop from flowers. The calyx is what is left of the apple blossom. Label the calyx.
7. Look at your apple labeled apple parts.  Think and discuss how these parts work together to give us delicious Minnesota grown apples!