Our Year 7/8 Chemists Tackle the Cost of Living

"HOW CAN WE USE CHEMISTRY TO MAKE LOW-COST, TASTY SNACKS?"As part of our Project-Based Learning this term, the Year 7 and 8 students have stepped into the roles of food scientists and product designers to answer our driving question.

With the current high cost of living making it harder for families to buy everyday groceries, this project brings real-world authenticity straight into our classrooms.

Our students didn't just follow recipes; they dove deep into Chemistry. Guided by the NZ Curriculum, they grouped materials by physical and chemical properties and compared chemical and physical changes. They explored how ingredients interact at a molecular level to create snacks that are both affordable and delicious.

To elevate their learning, students collaborated with expert chefs and food scientists to understand industry standards. Thank you to Michael Coughlin, Ambassador for NZ Beef & Lamb/Executive Chef, and to the University of Otago's Graham Eyres, Associate Professor in Food Chemistry.

Students didn't just stop at their first attempt; they subjected their creations to peer testing, gathered target-audience feedback, and engaged in deep critical analysis. If a snack lacked flavour, cost too much per serving, or had a chemical reaction that altered its texture, they went back to the drawing board to redesign it.

Our Public Product:

To share their success, students have created a professionally designed, Food in a Minute-inspired recipe pamphlet. We're sending these high-quality cards to professional publishers so the wider community can enjoy these budget-friendly creations.

Can You Help Us Display Our Work?

We want our students to see the authentic impact of their hard work next term. At the very least, these pamphlets will be available at our school office, but we want to go bigger. We are looking for local spaces, such as supermarkets, Four Squares, local cafés, and any public spaces willing to display a small stand of our student-designed recipe cards next term.

If you own a local business, have a community connection, or can help us secure a spot, please contact Simon Clarke at principal@tahuna.school.nz. Let’s work together to get these fantastic, low-cost recipes into the hands of our community.