In one memorable series of
experiments, I tried to learn how to make sponge candy,4
Buffalo, New York’s signature confection, and a delicacy in our
region. Companies that make it do not share the recipe, so I
decided to make my own, with the help of my chemistry class. I
showed my students the “making of” video published by one
company,5 which omitted some very crucial steps, and gave
each of them a piece of sponge candy to sample and examine.
When I told them we were going to discover how to recreate it,
they were eager to get to work.