Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello,

I am a homeschool mom and my 6th grade daughter wants to do a project on something related to how/why cookies do or don't spread out when you bake them.

I am looking for resources to steer her towards for background research. There are lots of books on baking cookies, but we haven't found anything that scientifically analyzes why the different ingredients are there or suggests some experiments to try.

I need books or websites that are accessible to an 11 year old. Edited to be more specific: Our public library has stuff that is too easy-- Magic School Bus, and stuff that is too overwhelming-- culinary school textbook. I am hoping for something "just right" for a middle-schooler.

Thanks,
Janet

Hi,

Hmm I think it might be best to try to examine what those culinary books have to say about how cookies spread? This sounds relatively new to me, but related to another project about how different sugars can affect yeast. There are experimental steps that can be found here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=TfyYMG ... q=&f=false

If anybody else is making cookies for science fair, we found I'm Just Here for More Food: Food x Mixing + Heat = Baking by Alton Brown to be readable by a middle-schooler.

--Janet

I love the idea of a project involving the science of cooking or baking because there is so much chemistry and physics happening in the kitchen!! One of my favorite books about the subject is "What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained" It may be slightly advanced for a middle school student but very readable (particularly with the help of a parent).

Good luck with your experiments!

tzforbes