Science in the Kitchen is a unique program that allows students to connect their everyday lives to their education experiences.  Our goal is to increase their critical thinking skills while utilizing information to answer scientific questions.  Many students struggle in the areas of science and math.  As a way of alternative learning, Jefferson County 4-H has worked with all 4^th and 5^th graders at Carter Elementary School, introducing them to kitchen chemistry.

As a way to introduce fun and education while cooking, students practiced cooking by learning and utilizing practical hands-on skills.  The five-week class was designed to help clarify the subject of chemistry by presenting key concepts through the medium of food. With the merger of two core curriculums (Family and Consumer Science and Science Engineering and Technology), the perceived complex of chemistry is lessoned and is made inviting and tangible to students.  The program is divided into 5 hands-on learning sections: solutions, acids & bases, preservation, fermentation, and chemistry.  Working with Kelly Smith (4-H Agent) we led participants through a scientific investigation to find the answer to many questions in the kitchen.  Each science experiment finishes with a delicious recipe that demonstrates some of the scientific principles at work. As students participated in this program, they realized that the kitchen is a great way to learn science. Participants thought of their kitchen as a chemistry laboratory, while learning cooking skills, kitchen safety, and nutrition. 

Upon completion of the program, students felt more empowered and confident while cooking. Students can now identify the similarities between science and cooking.  Many students cooked the recipes at home with their families. Demonstrating their confidence and ability to take a school lesson and apply it at home.  Students were able to define keywords such as chemical reactions, solutions, combustion, solidification, and fermentation.  

The life skills gained in this project is making decisions and mastering technology.

Math Skills are essential in not only schools, but in the kitchen at home as well. Quantity, fractions, and conversions are all important parts of cooking. The measuring cup is an excellent example of how fractions work. 100% of the participants felt that this class helped them understand math and its relation to the real world.

Following Directions did not only help the kids learn the significance of following directions, but it also helped with reading comprehension and sequencing. 100% of participants understand that cooking requires them to read instructions carefully and not following the instructions can make the receipt fail.

This program originally started as a one-time during-school program. Because of the success of the first session in September 2024, the school has decided to send all 4^th and 5^th-grade students through the program.  Totaling 160 plus students. We are looking forward to more partnerships with Carter Traditional Elementary School.