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5th Grade
- Project
- 1 week
Bake Chemistry Fundraiser: Rise for the Earth!
Purpose
Engage in a hands-on science project where you explore chemical reactions in baking to create delicious treats for a community bake sale. Use your knowledge to educate others about the science behind your baked goods and support a local environmental cause. Collaborate with community partners to enhance your learning experience and contribute to a meaningful event that combines scientific inquiry with social impact.
Learning goals
Develop an understanding of chemical reactions by exploring how they are essential in baking processes, such as leavening and caramelization. Enhance communication skills by preparing and delivering a speech about the environmental cause supported by the bake sale. Foster collaboration and community engagement by organizing a bake sale event with peers and local partners. Apply scientific knowledge to real-world contexts, assessing the quality of baked goods and explaining the science behind them.
Standards
- NGSS - 5-PS1-4: Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.
- NGSS - 5-PS1-2: Measure and graph quantities to provide evidence that the total weight of matter is conserved regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances.
- NGSS - 5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth's resources and environment.
Products
Throughout the project, create a variety of baked goods that demonstrate different chemical reactions, such as leavening and caramelization. Prepare educational posters or pamphlets that explain the science behind these reactions and their role in baking. By the end of the project, organize and host a community bake sale, showcasing your baked creations and sharing your knowledge through a short speech that highlights the environmental cause you are supporting.
Launch
Kick off your project by visiting Tartine Bakery to observe professional bakers in action and learn about the chemical reactions involved in baking. Engage in a hands-on workshop where you can experiment with different ingredients and witness their effects on texture and taste. Use this experience to brainstorm ideas for your own baked goods and discuss how you can incorporate these chemical reactions into your bake sale items.
Exhibition
Set up a community bake sale event at a local venue where you display and sell your baked goods. Design informative posters that explain the chemical reactions involved in each recipe and the environmental cause you are supporting. Prepare a short speech to present to attendees, highlighting the science behind baking and the importance of the cause. Invite community members, family, and friends to join, and encourage them to ask questions and engage with your learning process.
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Discover - Visit Tartine Bakery to observe professional bakers and learn about the chemical reactions in their recipes, noting key observations (30 min)
Discover - Engage in a reflection circle to discuss insights and personal connections to the science of baking observed at the bakery (30 min)
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Examine - Generate questions about chemical reactions in baking and explore relevant texts to build foundational knowledge (20 min)
Examine - Conduct research using videos and interviews on the role of leavening agents and caramelization in baking (20 min)
Examine - Participate in a seminar-style discussion to share findings and determine the criteria for successful baked goods (20 min)
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Engineer - Develop a hypothesis on how specific ingredients will affect the baking process and outcomes (15 min)
Engineer - Create a detailed baking plan, including ingredient lists, steps, and timeline for testing recipes (20 min)
Engineer - Share your baking plan with a peer team for T.A.G. Feedback and make necessary improvements (25 min)
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Do - Begin baking, documenting the process with photos and notes on the chemical reactions observed (30 min)
Do - Collect data on the taste, texture, and appearance of your baked goods, comparing them to your initial hypothesis (30 min)
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Share - Prepare educational posters explaining the chemical reactions in your baked goods and their role in baking (20 min)
Share - Rehearse a short speech about the environmental cause supported by the bake sale and your baking journey (20 min)
Share - Set up your bake sale event, displaying your baked goods and educational materials to engage the community (20 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Educational posters or pamphlets explaining chemical reactions
2. Draft of the speech for the bake sale event 3. Baked goods evaluated by peers using a rubric |
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| Preparation |
1. Coordinate visit to Tartine Bakery
2. Gather ingredient samples for workshop 3. Provide research materials on leavening and caramelization 4. Print resources on the environmental cause 5. Create a rubric for taste tests and product evaluation 6. Organize baking supplies and equipment |
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