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10/26/2009 4:57 PM

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Observer-Reporter

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By Christie Campbell,

Staff writer

chriscam@observer-reporter.com

CLAYSVILLE – Karlie Shrontz first thought a popular sports drink would have more health benefits than either cranberry or grape juice.

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But during a science experiment today, Shrontz discovered it was the 100 percent grape juice that contained the highest amount of anthocyanin, a phytochemical. Phytochemicals are non-nutritive chemicals such as lutein, lycopene and carotenoids that occur naturally in plants and are believed to have protective health benefits for humans.

Shrontz was taking part in a hands-on science experiment at a mobile science laboratory at Claysville Elementary School.

The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab is parked this week at the school. It is one of four labs that travel the state, and two more are planned.

The mobile science labs are designed to promote agricultural awareness. Students at rural Claysville may be the exception, but many children today are unaware where their food comes from. Many believe it originates at the grocery store or fast-food restaurants.

Esther Ulery, who oversees the mobile lab experiments, has had children tell her that chocolate milk comes from brown cows and strawberry-flavored milk, from red cows.

A retired teacher from Latrobe, Ulery said the science experiments are geared for different ages, from kindergarten to eighth grade.

Fifth-grade students in Laurie Maglietta’s class were to determine which beverages had the highest amount of phytochemicals. Because the phytochemicals are acidic, students added baking soda to the liquid. The baking soda causes a reaction, allowing the liquid to bubble up in the test tube. It also turns color, and while the sports drink stayed the same color, the cranberry juice turned brown and the grape juice, black, indicating its beneficial properties.

In addition, Ulery showed the children how many everyday items come from animals and the family farm: from paintbrushes to footballs to deodorants.

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