Cranberry Science and Hands-On Experiments
In this 2-day workshop, explore the world and science of cranberries.
Lisa Ely
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(212)
What's included
2 live meetings
1 hrs 10 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 2 - 5
Cranberries may be the official fruit of the holiday season. Whether it is cranberry sauce on a turkey, or a delicious cranberry pie, the berry has become a staple on most tables during the winter season. During this 2-day workshop, students will learn about the history of the cranberry and through videos, images and stories see how cranberries grow, both in home gardens and in bogs. During the first lesson, students will have a taste test as they learn about the different ways of growing and creating various cranberries from the garden. Learners will learn about the healthy benefits of eating cranberries and see pictures and recipes of some of my favorite and fun ways to eat them. Students will be encouraged to have various cranberries to sample during class and talk about the differences in texture and taste. We will then learn about the science inside the red fruit which contains anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are pigments that change color depending on if they are reacting with an acid or a base. Because cranberries are naturally acidic (it is part of the reason they have a somewhat tart taste) the anthocyanin reacts with the acid to make the berries red. However, if you change the acidity, you can change the color too. We will work together to see how to change the anthocyanins react though hands-on experiments to change the colors of the red cranberry. On day two, learners will continue to explore cranberries and it's properties. Using the techniques from the day before we will create and cranberry invisible ink. We will discuss the different textures in different cranberries and then engineer winter structures with cranberries and toothpicks while we analyze the fruit's inside. The final project will be learning how to make a cranberry dance. This class is interactive and hands-on. I engage students through my passion of gardening and always having fun while we learn.
Other Details
Supply List
It wouldl be great if students can have the following on hand for class: clear glass baking soda spoon cranberry juice lemon juice fresh cranberry dried cranberry canned cranberry paper cotton swab (Q-tip) 2 cups of water towels casserole dish or tray toothpicks
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from Pepperdine University
Bachelor's Degree from University of Southern California (USC)
Enthusiastic mom of 2 kids, Lisa Ely first learned to garden from her dad in their backyard when she was 6. Ever since there has not been a pile of dirt that she didn’t want to get her hands in.
Lisa is creator of Learn, Giggle & Grow Garden Curriculum and the co-author of three books under the Kinder Gardens umbrella. She is currently working on her next book series and a multi-media, adventure gardening experience for families to learn more and be inspired every day.
Prior to launching her children’s and family gardening enterprise, Lisa traveled the world over and over as an award-winning non-fiction TV producer and director. Some of her credits, like CBSs The Amazing Race, Discovery’s Garden Police and a number of shows on HGTV (including the Rose Parade) have helped her learn more about her garden passion.
Lisa’s always been described as a big kid and it wasn’t until she had kids that people stopped looking at her a bit funny when she would start a mud ball fight or run through the sprinklers. She admits that she’s good at playing because she’s had years of practice! She lives by her new family motto of “We’re washable!”
Lisa loves being in front of group sharing her love of everything fun in the garden. Some of her favorite classes are focused on worm science, eating the rainbow, tomato talk, soil on the move and root, stems, oh my!
When she’s not gardening she’s often with her husband watching their kids play baseball, paddling a dragon boat or playing her own version of “Chopped” to get a nightly dinner on the table!
Reviews
Live Group Class
$18
for 2 classes2x per week, 1 week
35 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-12
7-10 learners per class
