We had a little pumpkin drama on the day Little M brought her pumpkin home. No need to point fingers (since the only innocent party was me). When the pumpkin cracked there were tears… and consequences were doled out… but then I had an idea. Why let this sad experience go to waste? Why not turn it into a pumpkin science experiment? A rotting pumpkin science experiment in fact!
Rotting Pumpkin Science
That is just what we did. I brought out our nature journal and we made a few initial observations. We also talked about what we thought would happen to our pumpkin.
While doing this experiment I used scientific words. We recorded our hypothesis, data and even the conclusion.
Day 1…
Day 3… I asked M and M about what they saw, felt and smelled. They loved that part! Especially Little M who loves anything messy.
Day 5…I asked M and M to record their observations by drawing pictures of what they saw. (It’s so exciting to use a sharpie!) For older kids this would be a great way to get in some extra writing practice.
Day 10… I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to stand it. This one might be a little too gross for me. Kids Activities Blog tried a rotting pumpkin and made it until the bugs came… yikes I don’t know if I could do that! I love the individual science journal. I’m thinking the kids might get field journals in their stockings this year.
I love this idea of testing preservation techniques from My Science Project. What a neat twist on the rotting pumpkin experiment!
For more Halloween activities for kids visit Halloween lesson plan.
Have you ever tried letting a pumpkin rot? How did it go for your family? If you haven’t tried it, is this the year?
This post originally appeared on October 29, 2011.
WONDEFUL lesson! I love how you turned something dissapointing into a fun, memorable, educational activity! Way to go!!
I wanted to invite you to link up at my TGIF Linky Party – http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/search/label/Linkey%20Parties
~Beth
Just an idea… U could.do it in a corner of your yard and as it decays make notes. The seeds May actually sprout and grow vines or another pumpkin if you are lucky. I will tell you I did this on accident one year. My son stomped our pumkin and it was too gross to pick up. I just ignored it and we ended up with a new one the next year. Very cool.
That is really cool! I’ll have to see if there’s a good spot that the dogs won’t get into. YUCK!
Yes! Finally something about sized cooking pumpkin.
Been there…did this for twenty years… our class pumpkin … four-fives love the yuckiness!
great story to ho along with this is called Pumpkin Jack! Love using it to show changes