Bake It Til You Make It: The Science of Baking
Description
Step into the kitchen laboratory! In this mouthwatering STEM workshop, students discover that baking is really a delicious blend of chemistry, physics, and math. Campers will whip, knead, mix, measure, and taste their way through a hands-on exploration of chemical reactions and the science behind their favorite treats.
Each day focuses on a specific scientific concept - leavening, states of matter, heat transfer, emulsions, or gluten structure - and students apply what they learn by creating baked goods like muffins, quick breads, cookies, biscuits, or simple pastries. As they bake, students strengthen real-world math skills by practicing fractions, measurement, conversions, and scaling recipes up or down.
Throughout the week, students will:
• Explore how ingredients interact (acids/bases, fats, proteins)
• Learn what makes bread rise and cookies spread
• Practice measuring accurately with cups, spoons, and scales
• Develop math confidence through fraction work and proportional reasoning
• Conduct taste-safe experiments to test texture, moisture, and structure
• Keep a Baking Lab Notebook of recipes, observations & scientific reflections
• Enjoy (and share!) their culinary creations
This camp is perfect for curious scientists, creative bakers, and hands-on learners who love understanding how things work and how things bake. Students leave with new kitchen skills, stronger STEM foundations, and a booklet of recipes they mastered throughout the week.
Sample Daily Themes:
• Day 1: Measurements That Matter – Fractions, accuracy & cookie chemistry
• Day 2: The Rise of Science – Yeast, baking soda, acids & gas production
• Day 3: States of Matter & Melting Points – Chocolate, butter, and tempering
• Day 4: Emulsions & Mixtures – Perfect pancakes, smooth batters, and stability
• Day 5: Heat, Timing & Transformation – Oven science & final bake-off
Safety Note: All recipes use child-friendly tools and ingredients. Kitchen safety, hygiene, and proper handling of equipment are taught and reinforced throughout the week.
Instructor: Megan Hunt, Parish Episcopal Middle School STEM Teacher