![Participants interact with cutouts that have information on them](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/splashy_hero_large/public/2021-01/20160315_1043.jpg?h=ba41d7b3&itok=WCQ2O8Nq)
Food Activities
Food is a great way to connect relevance of STEM content to our lives. Activities explore the science of cooking and preparing food, some of the societal choices about how we grow and process food. Activities can be incorporated into events that involve cooking an eating, food festivals, and annual celebrations like Halloween and Valentine's Day.
Hands-On Activities and Resources
![Building with Biology Bio Bistro activity components](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/bio_bistro_kit_materials.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=k57a_1uP)
Building with Biology: Bio Bistro
In this activity, learners decide what current and future synthetic biology-based food products they would, would not, or might eat.
![Educator and group of children learning about self assembly using Gummy Capsules NanoDays activity](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2020-12/hero%20image%20explore%20zoom%20into%20nano%20gummy%2020100815GH_1009.jpg?h=4250f7eb&itok=ioOz7OmA)
Exploring Fabrication - Gummy Capsules
In this activity, learners make self-assembled polymer spheres.
Sweet Self-Assembly
In this activity, learners make edible macrocapsules using techniques similar to those being used in laboratories to make nanocapsules or "smart drugs".
![syringe of brownish gel ejecting into a small strainer over a bucket](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/8599/mg.png?h=9c8e5d61&itok=CXXsa3FV)
Molecular Gastronomy
In this O Wow Moments video, Mr. O looks at the fusion of science and cooking by making a special ice cream topping.
![Woman smelling chocolate](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/12008/screen_shot_2013-09-18_at_1.07.59_pm.png?itok=_1Fj-1B0)
What’s Nano About Chocolate?
In this 30-second video, viewers quickly learn about nanosized particles and the sense of smell.
![Gum and Chocolate Chemistry activity - child holding piece of chocolate](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2023-03/gum_and_chocolate_chemistry_activity_-_child_holding_piece_of_chocolate.jpg?h=265e640d&itok=c95FL1Cr)
Gum and Chocolate
In this activity, learners practice observation and prediction skills as they experience an interesting chemical reaction in their mouths by chewing chocolate and gum at the same time.
![NanoDays Nano Food activity components including sign, guides, and activity materials.](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/nano_food.jpg?h=774126d1&itok=skTcDgpp)
Exploring Products - Nano Food
In this activity, learners explore how nanotechnology may be used in food products.
![Nano ice cream activity Mr. O video schreenshot showing presenter wearing safety goggles and gloves](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2022-07/nano_ice_cream_activity_mr._o_video_schreenshot_showing_presenter_wearing_safety_goggles_and_gloves.png?h=b474a7cd&itok=bNui-5jK)
Nano Ice Cream
In this public presentation, a presenter will demonstrate how liquid nitrogen cools a creamy mixture at such a rapid rate that it precipitates super fine grained (nano) ice cream.
![NanoDays Nano Food activity components including sign, guides, and activity materials.](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/nano_food.jpg?h=774126d1&itok=skTcDgpp)
Exploring Products - Nano Food
In this activity, learners explore how nanotechnology may be used in food products.
![A facilitator adds scented oils into deflated balloons](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2022-02/20120216GH_0371.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=v3heMijA)
Exploring Size - Smelly Balloons
In this activity learners use their sense of smell to explore the world on the nanoscale and learn that we can smell some things that are too small to see.
![Pots on a kitchen stovetop next to vegetables on a kitchen counter](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/10830/_kitchenchemistrytitleimage.jpg?h=d554076c&itok=_habqDSL)
Kitchen Chemistry
In this stage presentation, learners discover the complex chemistry behind a seemingly simple bowl of spaghetti, and recognize the recognize the science that we practice every day in our very own home.
![Presenter on stage with large powerpoint screen and props](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2020-12/hero%20would%20you%20buy%20that%20Rae%20Ostman%202011%20NISE%20Network%20subawardee%20meeting20110601-0002.jpg?h=265e640d&itok=qqJ-qv2w)
Would You Buy That
In this stage presentation, learners explores social and ethical issues of consumer products from the past, present and future
![Plastic grocery baskets along with grocery store purchases including sunblock](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/lcnano_materials.png?h=beb7f838&itok=3YiW-BVi)
Buy It, Or Better Not?
In this activity, learners consider the costs, risks, and benefits of nanoparticles in various products.
Graphics and Signs
![What is nano about museum labels thumbnails of signs featuring signs of hot-chocolate, hamburger, glass of water, a window, and a toilet](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/2021-04/What%20is%20nano%20about%20museum%20labels%20thumbnails%20of%20signs%20part%201.jpg?itok=VvmqeYZI)
Nano Museum Labels (Graphic Signs)
These museum graphic labels highlight everyday connections to nanoscale science including: chocolate, food packaging, water, a window, paint, a toilet, a soap bubble, fashion, a sock, a pencil, a butterfly, a gecko, a laptop, an elevator, and a local city.
![Image of a Synthetic Biology handout with illustrations of how DNA can be edited](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/images/catalog/BwB_ReferencePacket_Page_4.jpg?itok=fm3QHXym)
Building with Biology reference packet graphics
Building with Biology packet of printable reference sheets on the basics of synthetic biology and related fields of study.
![A poster of a toilet depicting nano science technology that can help clean surfaces](https://nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/images/catalog/Nano%20Spots.png?h=5f70385b&itok=yJuFSuRj)
Nano Spot graphic labels
These museum graphic labels highlight everyday connections to nanoscale science.
More resources:
- Search all resources related to food and cooking
- HowToSmile.org collection of cooking activities
- HowToSmile.org food activities
- National Academy of Sciences LabX Chemists in the Kitchen videos