About the Project

This project engages students in chemistry through hands-on investigations grounded in everyday, real-life experiences. Using cooking as an accessible entry point, students will conduct structured experiments by repeatedly testing a single recipe (pancakes) while isolating and manipulating one variable at a time, such as leavening, pH, or ingredient ratios. Students will collect both qualitative observations and quantitative data using probeware (pH and gas sensors), connecting visible changes in texture and structure to underlying chemical processes. Building on these foundational skills, students will apply their understanding to more complex systems such as pizza and naan, where they must make predictions, refine variables, and apply what they’ve learned to improve their recipes.. This project centers student agency by positioning learners as decision-makers in their own investigations, while expanding equitable access to rigorous, engaging science experiences for students with diverse learning needs and backgrounds.