Scientfic Method - Kitchen Labs

I'm a big fan of learning one concept in multiple ways. Studying a book is fine, listening to a lecture is great, but I'm a do-er. That being said, here is a neat way to teach the scientific method to your student. The great thing about this is that you can customize it to fit your needs and your child's interests!

First, go over what the scientific method is with your child. The basics of it are:

1. Define the question

2. Gather information and resources (observe)

3. Form hypothesis

4. Perform experiment and collect data

5. Analyze data

6. Interpret data and draw conclusions that serve as a starting point for new hypothesis

7. Publish results (Or write a report)

8. Retest (frequently done by other scientists)

More information and examples can be found online.

Next, pick a fun recipe such as oatmeal cookies, homemade candy, or something similar that will interest your student. The recipe should have at least 5 ingredients in it.

You can do this over a few days or even over an entire week. The following is just a suggested outline for the lesson.

Monday - 

1) Go over the scientific method with your child. 

2) Go into the kitchen and with your child, and show them the recipe you will be making.

3) Ask your child to define a question.  Example: What will these cookies turn out like if we follow the recipe exactly?

4) Gather any information you might have such as previous experiences with this recipe and how it turned out before.

5) Ask your child to formulate a hypothesis about how the cookies or recipe will turn out. Get them to use words like: It will taste good, it will smell good, it will be brown, it will feel bumpy, etc. Let them form their own hypothesis using their five senses.  They should write their hypothesis down.

6) Make the recipe you chose exactly as the recipe states. 

7) Interpret the data when the recipe is done.  Have them use their five senses to see, hear, taste, touch, and smell the product.

8) Have them write down what their findings were, and if it was close to their hypothesis or different from it.  You can also have them draw a picture of what the final product turned out like, or take a picture with a camera, print it out, and attach it to the findings.

Tuesday - 

Follow the same steps as above, only this time let your child choose an ingredient in the recipee (example: eggs), and define a different question.  Example: What will happen if I put two eggs in the cookie recipe instead of three?

Have them formulate their hypothesis for this new modified recipe and follow all of the steps done on Monday.

Wednesday - 

You will be doing the same thing as Monday, only again you will be modifying a different ingredient.  Example: What happens if I use 1/2 cup of flower instead of 1 cup of flower.  Or, what happens if I use 1 cup of flower instead of 1/2 cup of flower.  Or, what happens if I add M&M's to the recipe instead of raisins?  What happens if I cook it for 5 minutes longer than the recipe says to?  This is where the fun part comes in, because you and your student can come up with many ways to modify the recipe.

Follow all of the steps done previously in writing down and forming a hypothesis, creating the food, observing the food, and writing a report about findings and how they compare to the hypothesis.

Thursday -

Same as above, modifying a different ingredient.

Friday - 

Same as above, modifying a different ingredient.  

Have your student compile all of the research they've done so far (with pictures if they have them), and write a slightly longer report of the overall findings.  Example: In the report have them answer questions such as:

A Hypothesis is:

The steps in the scientific method are:

On Monday we did:

On Tuesday we did:

Sometimes my hypothesis was wrong ____example

When we did this to the recipe the cookies turned out like ______

Etc.

If you want to do something extra, you can buy some poster board or project board (dollar store), and have them paste one sheet of paper for each day with a picture of the finished product, the recipe, the hypothesis, and the results.  Then they can do a small presentation to you or the family about their science project.

Note: Public speaking is a big deal in both public and private schools, and so adding in little verbal reports now and again is a great way to make your student feel comfortable standing in front of an audience and presenting information.  This is important because in college this will be required in many classes, and the same is true for some careers.

I hope this science lesson has given you some ideas!  During my time as a student teacher this is something I saw done in the third grade, and the fourth grade.  

You can find many recipes online, but below are some links to some that will work good for this experiment.  The great thing is this can be done several times with different recipes if you and your student have fun with it.  Cookies one week, brownies the next, candy the next.

Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Basic Hard Candy

Brownies

Blueberry Muffins

Blessings!

Important Warning: Not that you need to hear it, but just in case: Remember that mom or dad should be the one to put things into the oven or pull them out, and that care should be taken around a hot stove or pot or pan.  Also, treats should be thoroughy cooled before children observe by tasting or touching them.  We don't want any injuries of our little ones.