Grade Levels: 6-8, 9-12

NOTE TO EDUCATORS:  

This lesson plan accompanies Virtual Labs: Adjusting pH of Food, which is adaptable for grades 6-12. This interactive lab familiarizes students with food science lab equipment and teaches standard techniques for sampling. The lab addresses theory and practice of adjusting pH, so learners have concepts and procedures when encountering them in a real lab.

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments

Lesson Plan Next Generation Science Standards Alignments

Students will:

  1. Use an online "virtual" laboratory to explore food science lab equipment.
  2. Identify standard techniques for sampling.
  3. Explain how adjusting a food's acidity can keep it safe.

Materials:

  • Computers with internet access
  • Interactive whiteboard

Preparation:

This lesson plan uses an interactive virtual lab called Adjusting the pH of Food. Through the virtual lab, students will explore proper sampling techniques and learn how adjusting a food’s acidity can keep it safe. The virtual lab also familiarizes students with food science lab equipment and teaches standard techniques for sampling. The interactive animation guides students through theory and practice of adjusting pH so they have familiarity with the equipment and procedures when encountered in a real lab.

Lesson Procedure:

  1. Play the Acids and Bases or Food Safety movie for the class, depending on your learning objectives.
  2. Discuss how adding acidic ingredients affects food sources. Guide students to understand that doing so can protect food from dangerous toxins produced by organisms like C. botulinum, which is a common and harmless microbe in the environment but deadly when sealed with food in a jar.
  3. Project Virtual Labs: Adjusting pH of Food on a white board. Have student volunteers complete the first part of the interactive as you help them make connections to prior learning and learn how to utilize the interactive.
  4. Provide 10-15 minutes for students to complete the interactive on their own computer. Alternatively, you can have students work with a partner.
  5. If possible, allow students to conduct a similar chemistry investigation in the science lab.

Extension Activities:

Explore other Virtual Labs on GameUp!