Fun and Easy Food Science Labs For the Busy Ag Teacher

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Fun and Easy Food Science Labs For the Busy Ag
Teacher
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Why Food Science?

• Expanding value added products industry
• Ties into multiple subject area standards
• Ties concepts into things students relate to
• Adds excitement to your lessons
• Labs can be easily adapted to basic or complex
  curriculum

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DNA Extraction Lab - Materials

• Material with DNA
• Detergent (ie. Dish soap)
• Enzymes (Meat Tenderizer, Pineapple Juice or
  Contact Lens Solution)
• Isopropyl Alcohol (70 or 95)
• Cold Water

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DNA Extraction Lab - Materials

• Ziploc Bags
• Test tubes
• Wooden Sticks
• Pipettes or eyedroppers
• Measuring cups/spoons
• Coffee filters and cups
• Salt

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DNA Extraction - Procedure

• Step 1 Measure out a ¼ cup of your chosen
  material
• Step 2 Place material in ziploc bag and
  completely crush
• Step 3 Add up to a ½ cup cold water

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DNA Extraction - Procedure

• Step 4 Mix thoroughly
• Step 5 Strain through coffee filter into a cup
• Step 6 Add about 2 T of detergent and a pinch
  of salt (swirl gently) let sit for a minimum of
  10 min

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Gum Drop Lab - Materials

• Jello
• Sugar
• Water
• Pipettes or eyedroppers
• Plates
• Spoons

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Gum Drop Lab - Procedure

• Step 1 Measure out a portion of Jello powder on
  your spoon Place on plate
• Step 2 Using pipetter add a few drops of water
  while mixing it into your jello
• Step 3 Add more water or Jello mix as needed

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Gum Drop Lab - Procedure

• Step 4 - Form gum drop into desired shape
• Step 5 Roll in sugar
• Step 6 Enjoy!

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DNA Extraction Procedure

• Step 7 Add a pinch of meat tenderizer into test
  tube
• Step 8 - Fill test tube 1/3 full of
  DNA/Detergent solution (mix gently)
• Step 9 Hold test tube at a 45 angle

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DNA Extraction Procedure

• Step 10 Slowly fill test tube with an equal
  amount of alcohol
• Step 11 After the DNA has begun clumping
  harvest it with your wooden stick
• DNA can be preserved in an alcohol solution for
  long term storage

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Sensory Lab 1 - Procedure

• Step 1 Obtain a small sample of each Kool Aid
  in a small cup for sampling
• Step 2 With your lab partner taste your first
  sample and try to determine what flavor it is.
  Record your observations and flavor guess

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Sensory Lab 1 - Procedure

• Step 3 Cleanse your tasting palette with water
• Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each sample of Kool Aid

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Plastic From Corn Lab - Materials

• Corn Starch
• Water
• Cups
• Spoons
• Optional corn oil and microwave

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Plastic From Corn Lab - Procedure

• Step 1 - Add a spoonful of cornstarch to your cup
• Step 2 Add an equal amount of water to your
  cornstarch and mix
• Plastic should be the consistency of thick glue
• Step 3 Add more water or cornstarch as needed

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Plastic From Corn - Procedure

• Step 4 Check the surface tension of the mixture
• Step 5 Pour mixture into your hand and try to
  form it into a ball Once formed observe how it
  reacts to the heat of your hand
• Step 6 Have fun with your plastic carefully
  observing how it moves between a liquid and a
  solid

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Sensory Lab 2 - Materials

• Glass or Plastic Vials
• Various samples of food extracts and spices taken
  from the Food Science and Technology CDE list

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Sensory Lab 2 - Procedure

• Step 1 Obtain a sensory sample set for your
  group
• Step 2 Take sample 1 and record its color,
  texture and what you think the sample is made of
• Step 3 Continue until all samples are observed

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Possibilities

• Cinnamon
• Maple
• Lemon
• Vanilla
• Cherry
• Butter
• Garlic
• Nutmeg
• Lilac
• Licorice (anise)
• Molasses
• Strawberry

• Oregano
• Lime
• Almond
• Menthol
• Peppermint
• Ginger
• Banana
• Basil
• Orange
• Onion
• Clove
• Pine