Introduction
In this Halloween-themed activity, students use trick-or-treat-sized candy to explore the concept of energy density. This lesson combines chemistry and nutrition to make the abstract concept of energy density, the amount of energy per unit of mass, both tangible and engaging!
The investigation can stand alone as a one-period classroom activity, or serve as a seasonal extension of the Introduction to Natural Gas – Energy + Density Lab.
Student Objectives
Students will be able to
- Define and explain energy density as the amount of energy per unit mass.
- Use mathematical reasoning to calculate the energy density of various candies (Cal/g).
- Interpret results to compare foods with different energy densities.
- Relate scientific concepts of energy density in food to real-world fuel comparisons.
- Reflect on choices around energy-dense foods and fuels using guided prompts.
Materials
- Student Handout
- Optional: Real candy nutrition labels with calorie and weight (g) information
(Halloween Candy Nutrition List is provided below)
*Students can be instructed to collect candy nutrition labels from home for personalized data. - Optional: Graph paper or digital spreadsheet tool for data visualization
Halloween Candy Nutrition List
| Candy | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Brach’s Candy Corn | 19 pieces (39 g) | 140 |
| Caramel Apple Pops | 1 pop (18 g) | 60 |
| Gobstoppers | 3 packs (15 g) | 60 |
| Hershey’s Milk Chocolate | 3 pieces (38 g) | 190 |
| Jolly Rancher | 1 piece (10 g) | 40 |
| Jolly Rancher Lollipops | 3 pieces (17 g) | 40 |
| Kit-Kat | 3 two-piece bars (42 g) | 210 |
| Kit-Kat White Chocolate | 3 two-piece bars (42 g) | 220 |
| M&Ms | 3 packs (40 g) | 190 |
| Nerds | 1 box (12 g) | 45 |
| Nestle Crunch | 3 bars (38 g) | 190 |
| Reese’s Cups | 2 pieces (43 g) | 220 |
| Reese’s Miniatures | 5 pieces (44 g) | 220 |
| Reese’s Pumpkins | 1 piece (17 g) | 90 |
| Smarties | 1 roll (7 g) | 25 |
| Snickers Peanut Butter | 1 bar (26 g) | 130 |
| Sweetarts Chews | 4 pieces (39 grams) | 140 |
| Take 5 | 1 piece (21 g) | 100 |
| Three Musketeers | 3 bars (45 g) | 200 |
| Tootsie Pop | 1 pop (17 g) | 60 |
Procedure
The text below is also included in the Student Handout and can be used in a discussion to launch the lesson.
Introducing Energy Density: The Science Behind Your Spooky Snacks
Ever wondered which candy would keep a zombie sprinting the longest during a midnight chase? Today, we’ll uncover the sweet science behind your favorite spooky snacks, and find out which ones pack the most fuel for fright!
Before we dive into the candy cauldron, let’s talk about energy density. Energy density is the amount of energy stored in a substance per unit of mass or volume. When we talk about the energy density of food, we measure it in calories per gram (Cal/g), showing how much energy your body gets from each treat.
Energy Density = Calories ÷ Grams
Some snacks, the true monsters of the food world, are supercharged with energy! Candies loaded with fats and sugars (like chocolate bars or peanut butter cups) have high energy density, meaning they deliver a big energy punch in every bite. Others, like popcorn and string cheese, have low energy density. They’re light, full of water and fiber, and less likely to supercharge your zombie chase.
Just like a car burns gasoline to move, your body burns food for energy. In this activity, you’ll measure and compare the energy density of different candies to discover which sweet would keep a zombie going the longest.
| Answer: What is energy density? How do we calculate the energy density of food? |
Energy Density vs. Nutrition: Trick-or-Treat for Your Body
Beware! High energy density doesn’t always mean something is good for you. A food can be bursting with calories yet be haunted by a lack of nutrients. Candies and desserts are classic examples of high energy density but low nutrient density. They’ll give you energy, but not much else.
On the other hand, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may not seem as thrilling as a candy bar, but they’re the real heroes in disguise. These foods have low energy density (fewer calories per gram) but are packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your body needs to stay strong. . . and alive!
So when you’re deciding between a spooky snack and a wholesome bite, remember: energy-dense foods give you a zap of energy, while nutrient-dense foods keep your body running smoothly long after the candy buzz fades. The goal is to regularly fuel your body with foods that are both energy-dense and nutrient-dense.
| Answer: Does energy-dense have the same meaning as nutrient-dense? Give an example. |
Procedure, continued
- Provide each student with the Student Handout and begin with a discussion on the energy density of food. Introduce the formula: Energy Density = Calories / grams.
- Provide only the right column (name of treats only) of the Halloween Candy Nutrition List for students to choose from. Students pick 5 of their choice, and hypothesize which are the most energy-dense to the least energy-dense.
- Students record data for at least 5 different Halloween candies or sweets, then compute the energy density for each candy.
- Have students rank candies/sweets from highest to lowest energy density and compare with their hypothesis.
- Optional: Students can create a bar graph to illustrate the results.
- Students complete the Discussion and Reflection section of the Student Handout.