Cold Process Soap Making (FLEX - High School Chemistry Application)
In this 4-week FLEX course, students will learn to make REAL soap using the cold process soap making method.
Kristin Olsen
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(39)
What's included
Assessment
Students should use their first name and last initial in the Kahoot! for learning assessment. Learners who have not successfully completed the Kahoot! should not proceed into making soaps.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Do you enjoy being clean? Maybe you don't like the long list of ingredients on your current "soap," and want to make something a little healthier for you and better for the planet? In this class, students will learn to safely make beautiful soap with easily sourced ingredients. We will discuss, via the class messaging board, a new topic each week. Discussions are monitored and I will add to them as needed. A competitive Scavenger Hunt, fun Word Race, and challenging Kahoot! are provided to assess learning and facilitate interaction. Students will show off their beautiful soap with a "cutting" video for classmates to "ooh and aaah" over as the course wraps up, providing the opportunity to encourage each other in their future soap making endeavors. Week 1: Safety Equipment and Procedures - This week we review the MSDS for Sodium Hydroxide and discuss how to make soap at home safely, without a laboratory. Week 2: Science - This week will go over the chemical reactions that take place to make soap. Week 3: Soap Recipe - Students will learn to make a soap recipe from oils they can find at the grocery store. They will make their first soap this week. Week 4: Art - Students will get creative and learn several techniques for making beautiful soap. They have the option to make several different soaps this week to practice the techniques. If at any time, you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to send me a message!
Learning Goals
Students will learn safety equipment necessary for soap making.
Students will learn to read a Materials Safety Data Sheet.
Students will learn the chemical reaction between lye and oil to produce soap.
Students will learn to develop their own soap recipe.
Students will learn several techniques to make beautiful soaps.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This class uses Sodium Hydroxide, aka, Lye. Sodium Hydroxide is a strong base, and can be dangerous of used improperly. Sodium Hydroxide is required to make REAL soap. Parental supervision during the soap making process is required. I will contact parents of any learner who does not do well on the Kahoot! to ensure understanding of critical safety requirements for this class.
Supply List
REQUIRED Safety Equipment - laboratory goggles, old clothes & rags, shoes, long sleeved shirt, nitrile gloves or non-latex dish washing gloves that fit well. Soap is best made in the kitchen for safety reasons. Lye - Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH: This is best ordered online, it needs to be pure sodium hydroxide with no added ingredients. I use lye from Essential Depot. Fats/Oils - A variety of oils can be used to make soap that are easily found at the grocery store. Olive, Coconut, Avocado, Sunflower, Safflower, Soy, Lard, etc. I recommend visiting the grocery store and writing down the oils that are available with prices per ounce. After we have created a recipe in class during the third week, then pick up the fats/oils. Distilled Water (I have used tap water that was run through a Reverse Osmosis filter as well as charcoal filtered well water without issue) Equipment - Plastic spoon, rubber scraper, tall sided plastic bowl, tall plastic juice pitcher, soap mold (small boxes work great), freezer paper, stick blender. These should be dedicated soap making supplies and not used for food after making soap. A digital scale that measures in grams and something to use as a weigh boat such as a plastic cup. Thermometer - no glass. OPTIONAL Essential oils - Most essential oils do not remain after the saponification process takes place. The following tend to do better than others: Lavender, Eucalyptus, Folded Orange (I use Orange 10X), Rosemary, Anise, Lemongrass, Cedarwood, Peppermint, Spearmint Fragrance Oils - These are synthetic, research before use and make the decision that best fits your family. If you chose to use FO, make sure it labeled specifically for soap making. Florals are unpredictable when used in soap, and should only be used by advanced soap makers. If you're unsure about a specific FO, please ask! Natural Colorants: Poppy Seeds, Coffee Grounds, Alkanet Root, madder root, indigo, clays (pink, green, red, yellow), Activated Charcoal, Turmeric and other spices... there are many more, but this is a good example. Decorations: Coarse Pink Salt, dried flowers, molds to make small decorations out of soap. Lab Made "Natural" Colorants: Mica, Pigment, Oxide (I use Oxides) Students should also have a camera (phone, tablet, digital camera, etc) available to record their cutting video to post to the classroom!
Language of Instruction
English
Joined June, 2020
4.8
39reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been safely making soap for 12 years and now sell soap made from ingredients produced on our farm and other local farms. Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly or $60 for 4 weeks4 weeks
Completed by 13 learners
No live video meetings
Ages: 15-18
