Microorganism Magic
*This course is intended for lower elementary students
Class Schedule
Workshop Schedule
4:00-6:00 pm PST
Monday, July 15th
OR
4:00-6:00 pm PST
Thursday, July 30th
A 15-minute break will be built into class.
Note: Classes are listed in PST, click below to convert time to your time zone.
Course Overview
What does bacteria have to do with pickles and cheese? How does yeast make bread rise?
In this exciting workshop, we’ll learn about the science of food preservation and development while learning about the microorganisms that make it possible. We'll explore the processes of fermentation, pickling, and cheese mongering, and how microorganisms make our food taste great!
Students will get the hands-on opportunity to make refrigerator pickles, all while learning about the microorganisms responsible for some of our most delicious inventions.
Student Outcomes:
- Learn about microorganisms like yeast, bacteria, and mold and their role in food preservation and creation.
- Learn about different types of bacteria that are helpful to food preservation, and some that are harmful (and how to avoid growing these in our foods).
- Make their own pickled vegetables to be stored in a refrigerator, and the science behind how pickles become pickles with the help of microorganisms.
Required Materials:
- White vinegar or apple cider vinegar, raw vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, etc), sugar, salt, water, jar with lid
Student Experience
Inventor
Design Thinker
Researcher
Scientist
Your Teacher: Lindsey Roberts
Lindsey Roberts has worked as a teacher in California for over 8 years. She has a Bachelor’s in Zoology from Colorado State University, a background in marine biology, and a Masters of Arts in Education from the University of San Francisco. Her experience spans from working with animals, conducting scientific research, and classroom teaching at a public charter school in grades k-8. She has a passion for science, math, and fostering curiosity. She has taught a wide range of ability levels including gifted students. Lindsey enjoys creating project based learning units connecting multiple subject matters in a way for students to better understand. In addition to working at Cresconova, she currently operates Rooted in STEM Education, (rootedinstemeducation.com) a private tutoring business. Her clients are both international and domestic and many of her current students identify as gifted. They respond to her high level of engagement and deep content knowledge. She is thrilled to share her passions of animals, science, and math with Cresconova students!
