Analysis Of The Yeast And Balloon Experiment

LESSON PLAN

Subject: The Science Behind Our Food

Title: The Yeast and Balloon Experiment or, “How Does Bread Rise? - Yeast Fermentation”

Classroom Materials

1) Bread samples for introductory activity (enough samples for all the children to directly observe, touch and taste.)

1. A piece of bread or a bun that is well-risen

2. A piece of bread dough made without any rising agents and cooked

2) A microscope under which to view yeast cells OR a printed microscopic picture of magnified yeast cells OR a video of yeast cells under a microscope

3) Instant yeast, enough for each child to have two teaspoons

4) White sugar, enough for each child to have two teaspoons

5) Warm water (just slightly warm to the touch), enough for each child to have 1 cup

6) Several absorbent cleaning cloths to

It may also be conducted in a classroom is the necessary materials are prepared beforehand.

Pre-requisites: The child must be able to...

1) Explain in simple words the difference between living things (organisms) and non-living things

2) Give examples of objects and occurrances too small to be seen with the naked eye, that can only be observed under a microscope (germs, bacteria, skin cells)

3) Define oxygen and carbon dioxide as gases that are part of the respitory process (breathing). If not, the teacher can introduce the term “carbon dioxide” or omit it altogether and simply use the term, “air”.

4) Engage safely in fine motor activities like stirring, scooping, pouring, writing and grasping.

5) Handle vessels like bottles, cups and spoons that are filled with liquid without spilling their contents, pour water from jugs into cups and bottles and use a funnel.

6) Formulate hypotheses and make predictions as to how an experiment will result

7) Make verbal, written and illustrated observations using all five senses and multiple modes of