Food makes great projects- Project Ideas

I have found time and time again, that just like they say about men, that food is the way to a kid's heart! The more activities you can incorporate with food, the more the kids are excited about the project, and the more excited they are about the project, ultimately, the more learning occurs!

Above were plant cells.  After teaching the plant cells, the students had to create their own edible plant cells utilizing materials that represented each of the components of the plant cell. For example if it had to be twisted, the object representing it had to be twisted too! Or, if it allowed for something to pass thru it, it had to have spaces to show its fluidity, etc etc.  The students has such a solid understanding of the plant cell by the time they were done, and could quickly look at each and every model and identify the major parts based upon the look of each object they saw. Every one was unique and made with different elements, allowing for individual creativity.  Ultimately, the best part was eating and sharing them afterwards!

Here is a 4th grade example, of an edible project that my son did.  Yes, he did this himself! I was so proud of him, but i digress.  The requirement was a 3d model of a state site.  He had Sunset Crater national park, so I helped him look up information for the site.  He said it looked kind of like the bunt cake I make, and asked if we could make a cake for the project.  Of course I said yes- and away we went.  He chose golden Oreos because the name reflects the reddish golden flecks at the top that looks like a sunset from the bottom.  He died frosting reddish for the top and brown for the base.  He filled in the center to show the crater that was created when the top blew off, and had many edible simple representations for the 13 points that you see when you hike around the base of the crater.  (You cannot hike to the top).  Thanks to making everything and using and eating food along the way, when he presented this, he knew each fact about the crater by heart and did not need note cards or anything to present accurately all 13 facts about the edible model.  His class enjoyed the chocolate cake too!


I have had other lessons I have done with food too that the kids LOVE:

Elevation maps using colored frosting and shaped cookies

Book report cakes

Foods native to countries around the world we are studying  (with description of the locally grown foods/resources)

Foods native to states we are studying (with description of the locally grown foods/resources)

Foods native to people we are studying

How to essays for a family favorite recipe (with examples brought in of course!)

M and M elements and molecules

Candy fractions

Cereal color ratios  or trail mix ratios

the list can go on and on but when you add FOOD to any activity the kids are beyond themselves with excitement and that much more engages in the activity!