It has become a tradition for my oldest daughter and I to make a “science ornament” every year. When she was very little and I first started this blog, I would peruse Pinterest and cull the crafts to find something – anything – that could teach science while we crafted and of course then share it with you.
But this year was different.
You see, my oldest is now thirteen with her own amazing ideas and thoughts about science and the science ornaments we make together. She wanted one that is not only visually appealing but nature-centric – which I love that about her. So, while I bought supplies for this one, Allie did each step by herself and this is what I love the most about continuing this blog after 9 years.
She Loves Science has definitely evolved from me as a parent leading her to science to her now leading me…
Here is what you need: 3-4 clementine oranges, a knife, paper towels, cookie cooling wire rack, decoration – twine, holly berries, cinnamon sticks
Here is what you do:
- Preheat oven to 200 degree F
- Slice the oranges as thin as possible
- Dry with a paper towel to remove excess juice
- Lay orange slices directly on a wire rack – we used a cookie cooling rack
- Leave slices in the oven for 3 hours checking and flipping them every 30 minutes as needed
- Don’t forget to enjoy the lovely warm orange aroma scent in your kitchen
- Remove from oven when the orange edges are slightly brown but the orange has retained color
- Remove from oven and leave out overnight for continued drying
- Decorate with twine, berries, and ribbon!
What is the science? The science behind drying orange slices involves heat transfer which is the transferring of heat from a stovetop, oven, or microwave to heat up your food. The type of heat transfer used in this project is convection heating. Convection heating is the movement of hot air molecules from a warm heating element inside the oven to cooler air molecules around the orange slice. The juice from the orange will evaporate (hence the amazing smell) and will result in drying out the orange. Side note: Other types of heat transfer include conduction for stovetop cooking which is direct heat transfer from a hot pan to the food – heating food from outside-in and radiation for a microwave which is heating food from the inside-out.
Allie plans to string more orange slices to hang outside and decorate our garden and of course make a few more to share with her friends.
I used to resist change, but I’m embracing it these days. And the best part is, I’m enjoying watching the “seeds of science” that we planted long ago in this blog beautifully come to life this Christmas… 🍊✨
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Oh! If you are curious about the science ornaments from Christmas past, here they are!
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