Looking for a hands-on way to get your class engaged with KS2 science? These cooking and nutrition KS2 activities will give pupils a behind-the-scenes look into the foods they eat, and where they come from…
Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure, by Dr Sai Pathmanathan and illustrated by Lucia Vinti, is a celebration of delicious vegetarian dishes from all over the world, combining science, history, culture and puns!
The book contains information about using leftovers, growing food, cultural celebrations, and sharing meals with loved ones.
And it’s all about experimenting; i.e. there’s no need to stick to a recipe once you know the science.
Here are some activities to get your pupils excited about trying different approaches to cooking, and learning some KS2 science and D&T skills at the same time.
Cooking and nutrition KS2 starter activity
Begin by asking children what their favourite meals are.
They’ll likely mention enjoyable treats such as sweets and chocolates, but answers generally also include bread, pizza, pasta and cake.
Ask them what a common ingredient of these dishes is (flour).
Find out where children think their food comes from. Is it the supermarket, food delivery services, the fridge, or a grown up making it using magic in the kitchen?
Explain that ingredients such as flour come from plants, and that plants are important for us as a food source, but also for providing us with the oxygen in the air that we breathe.
KS2 science curriculum
The KS2 science programme of study for Year 3 states that pupils should be taught to:
- identify that animals, including humans, need the right types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat.
The non-statutory guidance also states that children should ‘continue to learn about the importance of nutrition‘.
Use this complete lesson plan to guide pupils through an exploration of plant-based foods and the science behind them.
Dr Sai Pathmanathan has over 20 years of experience in science education. She develops activities and resources for all ages and abilities, and runs science clubs and community engagement events. Follow Sai on Twitter @sai_path and see more of her work at saipathmanathan.com
