What is this thing?

 The ELK program is based on inquiries...wondering about something, exploring it, asking questions, testing ideas, and refining hypotheses. 

There was lots of wondering about this:

Jaxin:                 I wonder if this is a machine for putting holes in the apples.
Cameron Hu:     I think it's a jail for apples!
Cameron Hat:    It squishes it into applesauce.
Sarah:                It squeezes it into the pot.

The children were fascinated by all the moving parts. They discovered you could turn the crank, pull levers, and move the arm on the suction cup.

After sorting....

 And washing....

The teachers helped load the machine and operate it.

Springs!

 Many children helped chop the apples up, with a little guidance.

 Cinnamon and sugar into the pot.

 After 4 hours in the slow cooker, we had a tasty snack.

Jaxin discovered that the discarded cores had seeds. He's planning on planting them and seeing what happens.

The wondering continues!