C1.3 Chemical changes web quest
Heston Blumenthal is a famous chef. He is well-known for using scientific ideas in his
cooking. He helped to write a book called Kitchen Chemistry.
In this activity you will be using your research skills to find out about:





what chemicals are used in the kitchen
chemical reactions that happen when food is cooked.
clearly explain the importance of chemistry in cooking
explain why the changes that happen during cooking are chemical changes
be clear and interesting for an audience who don’t know a lot about science.
Heston’s giant ice cream
An article on Heston Blumenthal’s giant ice cream.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2167197/Heston-Blumenthal-unveils-worldslargest-ice-cream.html
Chemistry in the kitchen
Videos explaining why everything in the kitchen involves chemistry.
http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry/resource/res00000850/kitchenchemistry?cmpid=CMP00000966
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/chemical-reactions-during-cooking/92.html
Chemical changes in cooking
Some good examples of chemical changes in cooking.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway/carbon_chemistry/
cookingrev1.shtml
Royal Society of Chemistry on Heston Blumenthal
An article describing some of Heston Blumenthal’s cooking with chemistry.
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/Issues/2005/May/Cookedtoperfection.asp
Examples of chemical reactions in the kitchen (extension)
More detailed explanation of some chemical changes in cooking.
http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_6457215_examples-chemical-reactions-kitchen.html#pg=6
You will be using your literacy skills to take the role of Heston Blumenthal and answer
interview questions about chemistry in the kitchen.
Answer the questions using the guidelines below.
Interviewer: Why do
people say that cooking is
like chemistry?
Heston Blumenthal:
(give an answer, with
examples, that describes
all the substances in the
kitchen as chemicals)
Interviewer: How do we
know that chemical
changes happen during
cooking?
Interviewer: Can you
give me another example
of a chemical change in
cooking?
Heston Blumenthal:
(explain how we know
chemical changes happen
and give an example)
Heston Blumenthal:
(describe another
example of a chemical
change in cooking)
Produce a leaflet for a concert organiser to give to concert-goers who want to learn
about the science of music. Summarise your research findings on the key areas below.
Concert type: (e.g. classical, rock, pop)
What are sound waves,
and how do they travel?
How can we compare
loudness and pitch of
different sounds?
How are sound waves
produced by different
instruments?
How do we hear, and how
is hearing damaged by
loud sounds?
How can you prevent
hearing damage?
Plan for layout of leaflet
Important points

Use interesting images and language that can be understood by people going to
a concert.

Make your leaflet useful and easy to read; you will need to summarise the
information.
© Oxford University Press 2014 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements
This resource sheet may have been changed from the original.
Prepare a presentation you can show to other students your age to explain which planet
in the Solar System you would choose to visit and why.
Summarise your research findings on the key areas below.
Which planet did you
choose? List three reasons
why you chose this planet
and what a visit would be
like.
Describe where your
planet is in the Solar
System. Explain how this
affects your planet.
What is the weather and
atmosphere like on your
planet? Compare these
with Earth and one other
planet.
What is the day-length
and gravity on your
planet? Compare these
with Earth and one other
planet.
What is the year-length
and temperature on your
planet? Compare these
with Earth and one other
planet.
Plan for layout of
presentation
Important points


Use interesting images and language that can be understood by students your age.
Do not include too much writing on slides; use pictures and your own words.
© Oxford University Press 2014 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements
This resource sheet may have been changed from the original.