Haven't signed into your Scholastic account before?
Teachers, not yet a subscriber?
Subscribers receive access to the website and print magazine.
You are being redirecting to Scholastic's authentication page...
Announcements & Tutorials
Renew Now, Pay Later
Sharing Google Activities
2 min.
Setting Up Student View
Exploring Your Issue
Using Text to Speech
Join Our Facebook Group!
1 min.
Subscriber Only Resources
Access this article and hundreds more like it with a subscription to Science World magazine.
Illustrated by David Shephard
STANDARDS
NGSS: Core Idea: ESS1.C, LS4.A
CCSS: Writing: 2
TEKS: 6.4A, 7.4A, 8.4A, ESS.7D
Article Options
Presentation View
Lexile® measure
Swept Away by Syrup!
More than a century ago, a massive wave of molasses destroyed part of Boston, Massachusetts
AS YOU READ, THINK ABOUT why it’s important for experts to assess the safety of new structures.
In 1915, U.S. weapons makers were preparing for the possibility of the nation entering World War I. They ramped up production, which meant they needed molasses. Why? This syrup, produced by refining sugar, was used to make bombs. The United States Industrial Alcohol company, which processed molasses for weapons, wanted a way to store the sticky goo near Boston Harbor. But the company’s sloppy solution would soon unleash an epic disaster on the city.
OBTAINING INFORMATION: Research another well-known accident or disaster. Did it result in any changes to safety regulations meant to prevent something similar from happening again?