There are many chemical and physical principles that can be explored in the kitchen laboratory. We can start with a few that are involved in baking.
Scientist You Should Know
Dr. Amaia Arranz-Otaegui is a researcher in the Department of Cross-cultural and Regional Studies at University of Copenhagen. She found evidence of bread made by Jordanian people 14,000 years ago. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44846874.amp
Introducing the topic
Use only the resource(s) you need or that are appropriate for the learners involved.
https://www.thespruceeats.com/baking-ingredient-science-481226
Experiencing the Science
I can pretty much leave the experience up to the community of learners. Bake. Bake all kinds of ways. Have a bake sale or a bake-off or maybe you just bake the allergy-friendly recipe your sister requires for Thanksgiving.
https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-gluten-995123
Analysis and Response
Multisensory
Easy. With baking, we can use all our senses. If you are using some sort of science journal, record your impressions. If you use another communication device, consider ways to capture your experiences. Is it words? Colors? What does the experience of baking bring up for learners and how can we capture that or communicate it to someone else?
Creative
Here are a few ways to be creative in response to or as an analysis of the baking experience:
- Write a poem or a story about the ingredients in your creation and how they change when they get combined, stirred, and heated.
- Decorate your bake. The Great British Baking Show has some great ideas for adorning breads. Look at these ideas.
Verbal
Record observations of your baking. If you know someone who remembers recipes by heart and uses them from their head, ask them if you can observe. Write down what they do, especially measurements (including times and temperatures). Draw anything you aren’t sure how to describe. Remember that recording observations so that you can repeat a procedure is a key scientific skill. After you’ve recorded the preparation of your friend or family recipe, try repeating it yourself. Make a note of anything you can’t remember or of anything you do remember but didn’t write down.
Analytical
Think about how many variables there are in a baking project. Choose one to change. Find some ways to measure the results. Write it all in your lab notebook. Here are some examples: