[funky upbeat music] [singer] We can, we can, we can We can, we can, we can We can, we can, we can Mini Fab Science Lab We can ask big questions We can figure it out Let’s investigate in the Mini Fab Science Lab [Elijah] Hey Ava, this banana bread smells so good.

[Ava] Thanks, Elijah.

My mom made it using our old bananas.

Old bananas?

Like rotten?

Ew!

It sounds weird But I promise it’s good.

When a banana starts to decompose, the sugar breaks down, making it taste sweeter.

Oh, that’s really cool, actually.

So even decomposing stuff can be used to make awesome things like banana bread?

Yep, and the true secret ingredient to the best banana bread is actually another decomposition reaction.

It’s baking soda.

Soda?

There’s soda in this, too?

No, Elijah.

Baking soda, a substance that goes into baking goods.

When it gets hot, it goes through a decomposition reaction, which makes the air pocket in the bread get fluffier.

Oh, huh?

So decomposition reactions can make sugar sweeter and make bread fluffier.

I wonder what else they can do.

That sounds like a big question, Elijah.

Let’s go to the Mini Fab Science Lab to figure it out.

[upbeat music] Welcome.

Whoa.

Ava, this place is so cool.

Just wait till you see today’s experiment.

Let’s make elephant toothpaste.

Elephant toothpaste?

Toothpaste for elephants?

What don’t they make?

[laughing] That’s funny.

But no, not real toothpaste.

It’s a big decomposition reaction.

OK, I’m excited now.

All right, let’s break it down.

[Ava] First, we need dish soap, food coloring yeast, warm water, and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide.

Don’t forget the beakers and the mixers.

Elijah, can you put the dish soap and the hydrogen peroxide into this beaker?

Of course.

Absolutely.

Can you give it a mix and add food coloring?

Yeah.

Awesome.

And I’ll mix the yeast and water together.

Are you ready to see something amazing?

Yeah.

Now I’m going to go ahead and put the funnel onto the bottom.

So then you can pour the hydrogen peroxide mix.

[Ava] Now I’ll take it out so I can pour the yeast in the water.

Are you ready?

Yeah.

[Ava] And I’ll shake it up just a little bit.

Whoa.

This is amazing.

It really does look like elephant toothpaste.

Right, and it’s all science.

How did you know that would work?

That’s a big question.

Let’s investigate.

[Ava] Well, even though we can’t see with our eyes, hydrogen peroxide has millions of itty bitty tiny hydrogen and oxygen molecules.

[Elijah] Whoa.

[Ava] The yeast breaks down the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

[Elijah] And lots of foam.

[Ava] That’s right.

The yeast breaks down the hydrogen peroxide, and that’s decomposition.

Oh, so because the hydrogen peroxide broke down into water and oxygen, we call it decomposition.

Exactly, and the same thing happens when bananas turn brown or when baking soda gets hot in ovens.

The bacteria in the banana breaks down its molecules.

[Elijah] Which is decomposition.

[Ava] Yep, and then the bananas break down, and they become brown, mushy, and sweet.

OK, so decomposition reactions can happen in an oven, a giant foamy experiment, and even in a banana.

Where else can I see a decomposition reaction?

Elijah, that’s a big question.

We can ask big questions.

We can figure them out.

And I know just the people we can talk to.

Really?

Yes, the zoo.

The zoo?

What does the zoo have to do with decomposition reactions?

Well, we can ask them to break it down for us.

Mom, can we call Miss Kathy at the zoo?

We have a question to ask.

[Mom] Yes, but be sure to let her know I said hello.

We will.

Please call Miss Kathy at the zoo.

[pensive soft music] Hello, Ava.

Hello, Miss Kathy, and my mom says hi too.

And this is my friend Elijah.

Well, hello, Ava and Ava’s mom.

And hello to you, Elijah.

What can I do for you today?

We have a big question.

We’ve been talking all about decomposition reactions.

And we learned about bananas breaking down and baking soda in bread.

And elephant toothpaste.

And we were wondering, where else can we see a decomposition reaction?

Do the animals do science?

Well, my goodness, that is an elephant-sized question.

Good thing I know who to ask about decomposition reactions.

There he is.

There’s Mr. George Come here.

Well, hi, Miss Kathy.

How are you doing, Mr. George?

These are my friends.

And I would like you to meet Ava and Elijah.

Hi, kids.

Hi, Mr. George.

My friends here, they’re wanting to learn about decomposition reactions here at the zoo.

Well, good thing I stopped by.

As the ground compost expert, I use decomposition reactions every day right here with our in-house compost.

Here at the North Carolina Zoo, we compost over 2,000 tons of waste every year.

Waste like Old decomposed bananas?

Yes, and even more.

Hay, sticks, leaves, leftover food, and even animal poop.

Ew!

Well, it turns into fertilizer.

And we mix the fertilizer with the soil.

And we use it to nourish our trees and our plants.

Wow, so even the decomposed human food at the zoo can be broken down into plant food.

That’s right.

Composting is so important to us at the zoo.

Well, kids, I’m glad we could break it all down for you today here at the North Carolina Zoo.

Thank you, Miss Kathy.

Thank you, Mr. George.

Bye!

Wow, now that was cool.

Now we can go tell my mom how much we learned.

[upbeat music] Mom, Miss Kathy said hi.

And guess what?

[Mom] What’s that, sweetie?

We learned more about composting and decomposition reactions.

My goodness, what an exciting day.

Well, I was just about to throw out those banana peels, but [together] Ooh!

Wait, Ava.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Elisha?

[together] It’s time to break it down.

[upbeat danceable music] [] [] Who knew composting could be so fun?

Science is always fun when you break it down.

[upbeat music] [laughter] [upbeat music] Mini Fab Science Lab is a production of PBS North Carolina in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education.

[upbeat music]