I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Ice Cream as homeschool education? Sounds divine! The best part is, there is a lot to learn about ice cream
History
- What explorer claims to have seen ice cream being made in China in the early 14th century?
- Which US First Lady served ice cream at her husband’s Inaugural Ball in 1813?
- Who invented the hand-crank freezer in 1846?
- Who is known as the Father of American ice cream?
Learn about all this and much more at the University of Guelph’s Ice Cream History and Folklore.
Science
The ingredients of ice cream are pretty simple - milk, sugar, flavorings and cream are the basics. So, how do these few items unite in the concoction we all know and love as ice cream? That is where the science comes in.
- The University of Guelph has a great, though somewhat weighty, explanation. Perfect for high schoolers or parents.
- Science News for Kids gives a scaled down, kid-friendly version, plus other interesting facts.
Make Your Own
Ice Cream can be made several different ways - in plastic bags, with a hand crank machine, or an electric ice cream machine. Each way may yield slightly different results.
Likewise, different ingredients may result in different textures, firmness, and taste. Science News for Kids argues that cheaper ice cream contains more air while better ice creams contain less air, making them richer and creamier.
Try This - Taste Test -Purchase a cheap ice cream and a high quality ice cream of the same flavor. Blind fold your child and offer them a taste of one. Have them really experience the bite, thinking about the sweetness, creaminess, and texture. Have a glass of water nearby to cleanse the palate. Then offer a taste of the second type. Have your child compare the two, making a guess at which is the high quality and which is the air-filled cheaper version.
Want to try your hand at making ice cream? Visit The Frozen Wonderland of Ice Cream for hints, links to recipes, and much more (notable on this site is a picture-tour of an ice cream making plant).
Other Ice Cream Fun
- Visit an ice cream store and try a really different variety.
- Find a local ice cream festival. There are often unusual varieties of ice cream to sample (pickle, anyone? No? Then how about jalapeno?)
- Make a graph of the family's favorite ice cream flavors
- Host an ice cream making party
Ice Cream is not only delicious, but educational as well. Be sure to experiment and explore this summer!
