Do you have more questions than answers when you cook, bake, prepare, or think about your food? If so, explore the Food Science project where you will learn the answers to all of these questions and more! Food science is a mixture of chemistry, biology and physics. Explore the building blocks of food science in your own kitchen “laboratory”. Beyond how to cook, you will learn why and how things happen in all kinds of foods like breads, muffins, eggs, fruit, vegetables, cheese, candy, beverages, and more.
Projects include:
- What’s On Your Plate, Exploring Food Science 1 "The Secrets of Baking" with activities to understand the science of baked goods—gluten, leavening, and proper mixing—and the best methods for making these foods.
- What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science 2 “The Power of Protein Chemistry,” explores how eggs are used in foods and how milk turns into cheese.
- What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science 3 “The Inner Mysteries of Fruits and Vegetables.” Activities investigate how to prepare fruits and vegetables so they taste and look appealing in color and texture.
- What’s on Your Plate, Exploring Food Science 4 “Be a Food Scientist” lets learners look at a day in the life of a food scientist and practice being one as they create a new beverage and learn an essential food science skill--crystallization.
- Science Fun with Dairy Foods: The Case of the Missing Milk! This project is designed for beginning-level youth interested in food science. In this project, your kitchen will become a laboratory as you observe and experiment with dairy products. As a member of the Dairy Police Task Force, you will learn the science behind butter, cheese, and curds while solving the mystery of The Missing Milk.
- Science Fun with Kitchen Chemistry Join the Terrestrial Alien Defense Academy and figure out how to outsmart the aliens by doing experiments in your kitchen. Learn about what matter is and how it changes form; explore the different properties of matter; find out about acids and bases; and discover how everyday items and kitchen ingredients can be used in fantastic tests! Designed for beginners but appropriate for all levels.
Links to project guides and resources can be found at the bottom of this page.
Show Your Skills
- Create a display on how to cut fresh produce to prevent browning
- Compare different types of leavening agents used in baking and why different types are used
- Compare types of cheese and how they are made
- Demonstrate various egg properties and the purpose of each in food preparation
Service and Leadership
- Bake homemade muffins, then donate them to a homeless shelter
- Volunteer for a free community meal site to prepare and serve fresh fruits and vegetables using your knowledge to prevent browning in freshly cut produce
- Teach a food science technique or concept to fellow club members
- Teach a county 4-H food science workshop
Entrepreneurship
- Invent your own beverage, and name and market your new product
Technology Connection
- Shadow a Quality Assurance professional at a local dairy, market or food production operation; ask what technology they use to do their job well
- Learn more about the equipment used
Connecting with a Mentor
- Local baker
- Family or friend working in the field
- Higher education facility that offers culinary arts
- Professional associations and organizations like Registered Dietitians locally or Les Dames d’ Escoffier in Chicago
Events
- 4-H general project show
- Illini Summer Academies
- Illinois 4-H Food Advocacy Team
- Local / regional cooking or baking competitions
- Tour a food factory
Project Manuals & Exhibit Requirements
- What's on Your Plate? 1
- What's on Your Plate? 2
- What's on Your Plate? 3
- What's on Your Plate? 4
Purchase manuals on the Shop Illinois 4-H Store.
View exhibit requirements and scoresheets on the Illinois State Fair page.
Related Projects
What’s on Your Plate? Exploring Food Science Unit 1 Project Book
National 4-H Curriculum Support
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension 4-H
University of Illinois Extension
4-H Spark Sheets are a collaborative effort of 4-H staff, volunteers, alumni and teens from across Illinois. A big thanks to the many contributors and reviewers!