Iowa Maple Syrup

This video shows the drilling of a tree, sap flow, and boiling of the sap to condense sugars to create the syrup. The leaves of the maple tree convert sunlight to sugar through the process of photosynthesis. 

• How is maple syrup made by the sun?

• How does a maple tree convert the energy of the sun to syrup?
• Where did the calories (energy) in the maple syrup come from?

Students could:

• Visit a local nature center to watch the syrup capturing process.
• Create a diagram showing the flow of energy through the system. 

• Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies | Learn about the science of maple syrup: Goes into the physics and chemistry of syrup production.
• Science Borealis | The sappy science of maple syrup: More biological and botanical information about syrup production.
• The Botanist in the Kitchen | Maple syrup mechanics: A comprehensive biological overview of sap production.