When we teach kids to cook, we give them practical kitchen skills that can last a lifetime – that alone is a tremendous gift. But cooking also provides fun, low-pressure, real-world opportunities for kids to apply the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) concepts they’re learning in school.
What’s especially great about cooking is that it authentically integrates all these skills in one activity. Whether you’re measuring ingredients, operating an Instant Pot, stacking sushi roll ingredients, plating a meal, or scaling a recipe, you’re switching among all the S.T.E.A.M. skills. And it’s not just the skills you’re practicing, but also the different ways of thinking. The kitchen, after all, is a place for problem-solving, innovation, creative/critical thinking, and collaboration.
Demonstrate that ice, liquid, and steam are three different states of water and that you can change from one state to another simply by changing its temperature. Set a skillet on medium heat and add an ice cube to it. See the ice cube’s transformation from solid (ice) to liquid (water) to gas (steam)! Boom!
For more inspiration and tips on reinforcing academic skills in the kitchen, check out these posts on
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Sticky Fingers Cooking offers a Mon-Thurs, half-day camp where kids concoct colorful creations and explore the science behind some of their favorite foods. Learn more about our S.T.E.A.M. summer cooking camp here!
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