Fun and Easy Food Science Labs For the Busy Ag Teacher

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

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

DNA Extraction Lab - Materials  Ziploc Bags  Test tubes  Wooden Sticks  Pipettes or eyedroppers  Measuring cups/spoons  Coffee filters and cups  Salt

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

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

Gum Drop Lab - Materials  Jello  Sugar  Water  Pipettes or eyedroppers  Plates  Spoons

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

Gum Drop Lab - Procedure  Step 4 - Form gum drop into desired shape  Step 5 – Roll in sugar  Step 6 – Enjoy!

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

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

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

Sensory Lab #1 - Procedure  Step 3 – Cleanse your tasting palette with water  Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each sample of Kool Aid

Plastic From Corn Lab - Materials  Corn Starch  Water  Cups  Spoons  Optional – corn oil and microwave

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

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

Sensory Lab # 2 - Materials  Glass or Plastic Vials  Various samples of food extracts and spices taken from the Food Science and Technology CDE list

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

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