This article discusses modifying a specific activity so that it promotes scientific inquiry, cooperative learning, accurate and explicit nature of science understanding, and appropriate assessment. It features a brief description of the original cookbook activity and a subsequent adaptation to create an inquiry-based lesson. The activity uses ordinary pennies to teach fundamental concepts such as density and indirect measurements. Extension activities for chemistry students could feature chemical reactions and metal activities. This article promotes National Science Education Content Standards A, B, and G, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8
