A summer of super science

SCHOOL is out, science is in. Get excited about science these holidays and enjoy a range of fun science experiments and awesome hands-on projects and activities which help bring the exciting world of science to life.

How much iron is in your cereal?

MANY brand-name cereals contain additives, things that are added during the processing and manufacturing of food products.

Which brand of cereal has the most iron in it?

This experiment shows a way of testing different breakfast cereals to see how much iron they actually contain.

You will need:

Breakfast cereals (5 or more different brands)

Plastic bag and rolling pin or a food processor Large bowl Measuring cup Fork Water White balloon Magnet (stronger magnets work the best)

What to do

1. Pour about 4-5 cups of cereal into the plastic bag or food processor. Whiz, bash or thump the cereal until it is as fine as you can make it. Empty it into the bowl.

2. Pour enough water into the bowl to cover the cereal completely and leave it sit for 10 minutes so the cereal soaks up the water. Stir the mixture and use a fork to mush it up more.

3. Put the magnet into the balloon and tie a knot in the balloon to hold the magnet firmly in place.

4. Stir the magnet slowly through the cereal mixture, making sure to run it along the bottom where the iron will have sunk.

It will take some time for the magnet to pick up enough iron for it to be visible.

5. Remove the magnet every now and then and have a close look. The iron should look like a dark stain against the white rubber of the balloon.

6. Compare the amount of iron collected on the balloon for each cereal tested.

7. Check the information on the cereal boxes to see if your results match.