Ghost and Unicorn Seat Disposal

By:

Materials

• Starch packing peanuts and Styrofoam peanuts
• Beaker or cup for each student
• Spoons or stirring sticks
• Water

Procedure

1. Find two different packing peanuts (scat) in the “graveyard” for ghosts and unicorns.
2. Ask students to decide whether their scat comes from a ghost or a unicorn. (Ghost scat disappears like ghosts and unicorn gets smaller, but does not disappear).
3. Ask students what they think will happen to the packing peanuts.  Will they sink or float? Shrivel up or stay the same?
4. Fill the cup about half way with water.
5. Stir the water and scat for 30 seconds to a minute.
6. See what happens to the packing peanuts.

The ghost scat disappears and the unicorn scat just gets smaller.  Why?  Which one is better for the environment?  Why?