The STEM of Peeps: 5 Sweet Experiments for Your Post-Easter Classroom
At the PAST Foundation, we're excited to explore the idea of "unboxing" learning. We see the world as a giant laboratory where some of the most amazing scientific discoveries begin with just simple materials. As spring holidays come to an end, many of us encounter a familiar, colorful, and somewhat polarizing favorite: the marshmallow Peep.
Whether you love them or think they belong only in a diorama, these sugary icons are more than just seasonal treats. They are actually a goldmine for hands-on learning. In this post, we’re diving into the "STEM of Peeps." We’ll explore how to turn that leftover candy into a classroom of inquiry, physics, and fun, messy innovation.
What if we stopped seeing "leftover candy" as a distraction and started viewing it as a catalyst for student agency? When we invite students to deconstruct, launch, and dissolve their world, we aren’t just teaching them facts; we are empowering them to think like designers and researchers.
Here are five quick, fun, and slightly sticky ways to transform your post-Easter classroom using Peeps science. Keeping classroom management in mind, having a tray or paper towels nearby can help control the mess and make these activities stress-free for everyone.
1. The Microwave "Peep-pocalypse" (Expansion & Gas Laws)
If you’ve never tried microwaving a Peep, you're missing out on one of the most delightful shows in the snack world. Watching a marshmallow chick puff up to five times its size is truly entertaining, and it also teaches us some interesting lessons about gas laws and thermal expansion.
The Setup: Place a Peep on a paper plate and microwave it for 30–45 seconds.
The Science: Marshmallows are like little balloons filled with air, surrounded by a sweet, chewy gel. When you heat them up, the air inside begins to move more quickly and pushes outward. It's a fun, easy way to see Charles’s Law in action: as a gas gets warmer, it takes up more space, just like magic!
The Innovation Angle: Instead of just observing the expansion, encourage your students to think ahead and predict the "point of no return." When does the sugar structure start to falter? Invite them to record the cooling process and explore why the Peep turns hard and brittle after it deflates. Understanding how it shifts from a flexible form to a "glassy" state makes for an engaging introduction to materials science.
