Sweet, Sticky Science
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Question Sheet: Sweet, Sticky Science

SCIENCE

Before reading:

1. How do people make maple syrup?
2. What's the difference between syrup and sap that comes from maple trees?
3. In which parts of the United States do people produce maple syrup?

During reading:

1. Brian Chabot says, "Essentially, there is nothing about the way we produce syrup now that is anything like it was 100 years ago." What has changed in the way people produce syrup?
2. Why do trees in the north produce the best sap for syrup making?
3. At what time of year do people make syrup?
4. Scientists are working to improve the trees from which maple syrup is produced. What specific improvements are they trying to make?
5. Describe how a vacuum changes the process of making syrup.
6. Why is global warming a problem for maple syrup producers?

After reading:

1. Is improving the maple syrup process science? Why or why not?
2. Why is it important to make maple syrup production more scientific?
3. Why would heated gutters be more efficient than kettles to boil down sap?
4. How would you design an experiment to learn more about which maple syrups taste best?
5. Compare the production of granulated sugar to that of maple syrup. Does knowing about the process of making these sweet treats change which one you prefer? Why or why not?
6. Why do you think many restaurants use artificial maple syrup? What is in artificial syrups?

SOCIAL STUDIES

We know that maple syrup comes from cold climates. Why do you think there is not more maple syrup production in Alaska or northern Canada?

LANGUAGE ARTS

1. At the bottom of the article is a list of Web sites about maple syrup. Take some time to look at two of the sites listed. Write a review of what is good and bad about the Web sites. Compare the different ways the sites look and the information they give. Which site would you recommend? Why?
2. The Canadian flag contains an image of a maple leaf. Why is the maple tree important to Canadian culture?

MATHEMATICS

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