Exploring the 5 States of Matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma & Bose-Einstein Condensate!

In this engaging 4-session course, students explore the States of Matter (Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma and Bose-Einstein Condensate) with intriguing examples from food creations and technological inventions! In the first session, we'll use the invention of popsicles as a jumping off point to study the 3 commonly-known States of Matter (solid, liquid, gas), and the unique molecular qualities of water in these states. In the second session, we'll explore the invention of refrigeration technology, based on the physics principle that a liquid changing into a gas extracts heat from its surrounding. We'll also make homemade ice cream utilizing the physics concept that salt lowers the freezing temperature of water. In the third class, we'll learn about 2 additional states of matter, Plasma and Bose-Einstein Condensate, and introduce the physics of each. Finally, in the fourth class, we'll delve into the formation of different molecular crystal structures as matter transitions from a Liquid to a Solid, and how this is useful in chocolate making and other applications.

The course is designed to nurture students' interest in Quantum Physics through fun and intriguing applications in food creation and invention. Learners will also be encouraged to jot down ideas, questions and observations they have in an Idea Journal, as a way to encourage students to value and explore their own ideas. 

Session 1 - Popsicles and the Invention Process
In Session 1, we'll learn about the invention of popsicles in the United States by an 11-year-old boy with an entrepreneurial spirit. From there, we'll introduce the 3 States of Matter (solid, liquid, gas) and discuss the unique qualities of the water molecule in each of these 3 states. We'll also learn about the paletas tradition in Mexico, which pre-dates the invention of popsicles in the U.S. Students will learn how to design their own popsicle recipes, and will be encouraged to experiment with popsicle-making as optional "homework." 

Session 2 - The Invention of Refrigeration & Ice Cream Making
In this session, we'll learn about how refrigerators and freezers were invented. We'll discuss the underlying physics principle that enables them to work: that a liquid changing into a gas extracts heat from its surroundings. We'll also learn about how ice cream makers work, and the science of using liquid nitrogen to make ice cream! Students will be given recipes for making their own ice cream as optional "homework."

Session 3 - Plasma and Bose-Einstein Condensate
In Session 3, we'll learn about the 4th state of matter: Plasma! Plasma is a gas that has been super-charged (through extreme heat or electricity) to become a mix of positive ions and free electrons. Stars are made of plasma, and the visible matter in the universe is actually 99% plasma! We'll find out how a Tesla-inspired Plasma Ball works. We will also touch on the 5th state of matter (Bose-Einstein Condensate) which has mainly been created in extremely cold laboratory conditions.

Session 4 - Chocolate-Making, Tempering and Crystal Structures
In our final session, we'll learn about the Science of Chocolate Making and how chocolatiers use the States of Matter to grow the perfect chocolate crystals! The chocolate tempering process produces chocolates with the best sheen, strength and texture. We'll learn about the molecular crystal structures of cocoa butter, and how it can be carefully designed through temperature control and physical manipulation.