Science Corner presents: <I>The Great Bean Experiment!</I>

Check out our Flickr.com Photostream for more photos from this and other events!

On Saturday January 23rd, YES teens participating in the Science Corner component were asked to create a simple experiment: starting with a control group of a closed plastic bag filled with 5 beans (of their choosing), a paper towel, and one dropper full of water, design a project to test one of the variables in the experiment. 

The following variables were identified by the YES teens: # of beans, type of bean, type of absorbent material (paper towel vs napkin vs cotton ball), status of plastic bag (open vs closed), and amount of water. This week, teens set up their project with the control and experimental groups next to each other. 

As part of the explorations, teens also dissected wet and dry lima beans. In case you didn't know, dry lima beans are very difficult to dissect. Soaking the beans overnight not only makes them slightly larger, but softens them enough to cut open carefully with a small plastic knife.

We will report back shortly with results from their projects. Until then, enjoy photos from the day!