As we neared the end of our physical science unit, I was trying to come up with an idea for a review that would cover as many of the concepts as possible. I was having difficulty coming up with an idea, until I came across some instant pancake shake-and-pour mix at the grocery store. It clicked right away. I could cover most of the review by making pancakes for my class!
Prepping for the activity was simple. I already had most of the materials needed for the demonstration, and I borrowed a hot plate from the school. Hot plates are pretty common. You can probably find one between either your school or one of your teacher friends.
My plan was to make a pancake for each student as we talked about physical properties of matter. Pancake mix, cooking, elementary school kids, and a small classroom sounds like a disaster. The activity went…surprisingly well actually.
Once you have everything set up, start with preheating the skillet/pan/cast iron, whatever you brought for the cooking. You want the pan to come to temperature before you begin. That way, the pancakes cook quickly and the kids’ attention doesn’t start waning. The whole lesson takes about 45 minutes.
Conductors & Insulators
As the pan is heating, the first thing I talk about is conductors and insulators of heat and electricity. For the conduction and insulation of heat, we talk about the spatula material (remember to bring a metal and plastic one), pan material, pan handle material, and hotplate coils. I leave the metal spatula in the pan to demonstrate how the handle heats up even though it doesn’t directly touch the pan.
We then talk about electrical conductors and insulators using the hot plate as an example. I focus on the wires and which part is the conductor and insulator. We also discuss the different types of energies being used and how the energy is changing from one form to another.
Mixtures & Solutions
For mixtures and solutions, we first observe the ingredients in the pancake mix. We talk about what would happen when we add the water and shake. The dry ingredients start as a mixture, but when water is added, the substances begin to dissolve. There is even a build up of pressure while you shake, which leads us to discussing physical and chemical changes as well.
States of Matter: Solid, Liquid, & Gas
The pancake mix starts out as a solid mixture with different substances and powders. Obviously, the water is a liquid. When mixed, our batter starts to take on a more liquid viscosity. One important step the students need to see is when the pancake first starts to cook. I call up one small group at a time to observe. When the batter begins to cook, bubbles will start to form on top of the pancake. This is the liquid evaporating from the batter as it is heated. We are changing from a liquid to gas. Students can also observe the batter changing to a more solid form as the liquid evaporates away.
Tips
I set this activity up as teacher led demonstration that can be done in the classroom (no science lab required!) Here are some tips to help it run smoothly in your classroom:
- Discuss observations while you carry out the activity.
- Bring one small-group at a time to observe as the pancakes are cooking. Then send the group back with their pancakes to enjoy.
- Before the activity begins, give your students this handout to work through together while they wait for their pancakes.
- Cook the pancakes small (about 2-3 inches in diameter) so you can cook multiple at a time.
- Monitor the pan temperature as you cook. You want it to stay hot so you can cook the pancakes quickly.
- Every few pours, replace the lid and shake again.
- And of course, always be sure to monitor your students around the hot plate and the pan.
- Don’t forget to send extra pancakes to your teacher friends down the hall!
I have come back to this activity every year and it never fails. It hits three major points in a way students remember.
*If you don’t have access to a hot plate, a waffle maker will work. Everything is the same, except the students will not be able to see the bubbles of escaping gas. However, they will still be able to see the steam leaving the edges of the waffle maker. Also, most waffle makers already divide into fourths.
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Mr. Nolan graduated in 2007 from Texas A&M and began teaching 5th grade math & science. Mrs. Nolan graduated from Baylor University in 2012 and earned her Master’s degree in English while teaching 4th grade. We’ve combined our collective 20+ years experience teaching upper-elementary to bring you the information and products found here on our website.
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