“Excellent resource which fully engaged our students. Great way to promote healthy eating and discuss food technology and food in the future. Opportunities for student led experiments too. Our kids really enjoyed this unit thanks
Photos to come with Lara Sweetman's feedback as we buddy taught this unit.”
“Some very excited kids during this learning. We started exploring chemical reactions in everyday cooking ingredients, which they loved. Next onto cooking the control base cake in both plain flour and gluten free. We worked in tuakana teina groups with our senior class, so years 3-8. In our groups we made a variety of combinations one day and then compared and rated the combinations. We discovered that apple is as sweet as sugar, that beetroot gives and interesting colour and flavour and is a good combination with apple. We discovered that chick pea is a great substitute that doesnt carry much of a flavour. Pea was the least popular substitute. So on the second day we added in creating a vegan cake for some groups, and the challenge of using the pea but in a way that its flavour was disguised. The students loved this experimenting and took the taste testing and rating seriously. Some discovered some new popular recipes and took copies to make again at home. We could physically see which recipe had a better bubble strategy. Some inspired students considering food technology and dietician careers for the future. Loved the way they got so comfortable with the measuring of ingredients, and all the cooking independently. Very student lead learning.”
“I was surprised by how well my Year 4's understood the chemistry of cake baking and could make choices of which vegetables or fruit to use based on this. There was a lot of reading and comparing of food labels. I was also surprised by how willing and adventurous the students were in terms of trying different foods in cupcakes. They listened to each groups ratings and reasons why they rated them and were even willing to taste test the cupcakes that groups said did not taste good. Overall, a very satisfying learning experience for my students.”
“I thought the idea was fantastic and it also linked with our school wide theme of sustainability. There was so many possibilities to delve into more depth in a range of areas. I put an emphasis on chemical reactions - which got a lot of students thinking.”
“I found the lesson plan a little difficult to understand, I followed the group page and picked up more pointers from other Teachers taking part. Sorry but no photos were taken.”
“Our children loved the opportunity to explore chemical reactions and be inventors! We delved into what fair tests are. The understanding developed and levels of engagement in trying new foods was a lot of fun.”
