March 25, 2023
Is There Really Iron In Cereal?
The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ column in the Medicine Hat News. The article may also be found in the Medicine Hat News (paper) or digital copy at https://medicinehatnews.com/life/local-life/2023/03/25/science-smarts-is-there-really-iron-in-cereal/ or via PressReader at https://www.pressreader.com/article/281706913932430.
I am still as busy as can be this week helping all the young scientists in southeastern Alberta finish up their science fair projects for the Regional Science Fair on April 1 at the Medicine Hat College.
It is absolutely amazing the interesting projects this year — these young scientists are really showing me some new material!
I thought this was an interesting experiment… is there really iron in my cereal?
Let’s get started!
*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.
Materials
- Two different kinds of cereal you would like to investigate the iron content in
- Zipper sandwich bags
- Strong magnet
- Water
- Two mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Mixing spoon
- Pencil
- Tape
Procedure
- Measure 250 mL (one cup) the cereal you want to test for iron into a zipper bag. Close it tightly.
- Gently crush the cereal up with your hands — be careful NOT to pop the bag!
- Once you have a nice finely crushed up mixture, pour it into the mixing bowl.
- Take the magnet and hover it above this mixture. Observe what happens.
- Add 250 mL (one cup) of water to the mixture. Stir well.
- Allow this to sit and thicken for a few minutes.
- Tape the magnet to the end of the pencil. Place the pencil — magnet into a zipper baggie and tape it around REALLY well so it will stay in there.
- Using the pencil — magnet, stir the cereal water mixture for one minute.
- Remove the pencil and observe if there is anything sticking to the magnet.
Repeat several times to see how much iron you can collect. - Was the manufacturer correct on the label — did they put any iron in the cereal?
- Repeat with any other cereals you would like to try!
What is going on?
There should in fact be iron in our cereal! You should have observed tiny pieces stuck to the magnet. It is difficult to see and does take some time so be patient.
Did you know that manufacturers put extra vitamins and minerals into our food? In this case, there is iron. Our bodies need iron to work and function properly. The type of iron that we need is not really the metal type of iron you would see on a car for instance. Most cereals have added metallic iron in them as a nutritional supplement. So some types of cereal will have more and some will have less. Can you figure out which ones?
Do not forget to register for the In-Person SE Alberta Kiwanis Regional Science Fair on April 1 — it is open to ALL students in southeastern Alberta. As well, we are still in need of some science fair judges so if you would like to lend a helping hand, send me a message!
The Southeast Alberta Kiwanis Science In-Person Fair is open for registration!
Do NOT miss out this year — We are looking forward to seeing all young scientists there! Visit https://www.online-registration-system.com/ab/seab/?fbclid=IwAR1sFF3splhU2tfCSF5QyqkfUxAfCgVtuvKENqsEA0mTvGV1kLs0Z4Ptpb4 for student, volunteer and judging registration.
In-Person Registration & Paperwork closes on March 29 at 6 PM.
More information may also be found at: https://praxisscienceconnection.wordpress.com/2023/02/07/2023-southeast-alberta-kiwanis-regional-science-fair/.
The 2023 SE Alberta Kiwanis Regional Science Fair Virtual Awards Have Been Announced!
See https://praxisscienceconnection.wordpress.com/2023/03/23/2023-southeast-alberta-kiwanis-regional-virtual-science-fair-awards/ for details
Also, Praxis Science Outreach still continues to do science outreach in southeastern Alberta but because of financial constraints, we are making some program changes. See https://praxisscienceconnection.wordpress.com/2023/02/09/praxis-science-outreach-society-program-changes/ for the details regarding our programs.
Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant – PRAXIS: Connecting Science and The Community of SE Alberta
Webpage: https://www.praxismedhat.com/
We also have another blog for events, activities and services that we offer at https://praxisscienceconnection.wordpress.com/ – we are involved in many community activities in SE Alberta.
If you wish to support us (Praxis Science Outreach is a registered charity) please consider doing so at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/praxis-society-southeastern-alberta-sciencing-and-teching-center/?mprompt=1.
We are located at #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7
Phone: 403.527.5365 or email: praxis@praxismh.ca
Praxis Science Outreach Science Smarts Column 
Reblogged this on lochsloidh and commented:
The latest Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ article in the Medicine Hat News (March 25). This is “cerealsly” awesome!
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