Children learn about the many uses for soybeans
(Talk of the Town photo provided) Above, second graders at Little Turtle Elementary School learned about soybeans and the many products than can be used in.
By Gloria Reimer
The United States is falling dangerously behind other nations in developing its future workforce of Scientist, Engineers and Technology experts. America now faces a future of intense global competition with a startling shortage of scientist.
The 2nd graders at Little Turtle Elementary School were up to the Soy Sensation Science Experiment challenge.
On June 1, Purdue Extension-Whitley Office presented a Soy Sensation Science Experiment to Mrs. Myers’, Mrs. Johnson’s and Mrs. Smith’s classes by meeting some of the Indiana’s Science Standards curriculum per grade level.
The Purdue Science Experiment showed how to make soy ice out of soy milk by using the milk from soy beans. The children used vanilla and chocolate soy milk to make their soy ice. They also, compared making ice cream out of cow’s milk to soy milk. The children put in a great deal of effort by shaking their ingredients in their bag of ice for about 10 – 15 minutes. The children realized making soy ice used more energy than going to the grocery store to buy ice cream. Once, their soy ice was frozen they enjoyed sampling the different flavors from their experiment. Several children commented that their soy ice tasted better than a very popular brand of ice cream. The soy ice was also rich in protein with amino acids, lecithin, vitamin E, minerals and fiber. The children were able to have fun while learning.
With the Purdue Science experiment the children were introduced to the benefits of soy products. They were able to view soy beans that are grown in our fields locally by our farmers. Soybeans are often called the 'miracle crop.' It is the world’s foremost provider of protein and oil. A few samples of edible soybeans uses are baby food, breakfast cereals, cookies, cooking oil and salad dressing. Another favorite ingredient would be lecithin that is extracted from soybean oil to keep chocolate and cocoa butter from separating. Some nonfood products created with soybeans include crayons, candles, plastics and biodiesel fuel. A picture of Henry Ford’s plastic-bodied soybean car was viewed by the children.
The H.A.N.D.S. Foundation in Columbia City will be funding the Purdue Soy Sensation Experiment to local children’s groups. The Purdue Extension Office will be off to Camp Whitley for a 6 week series with the soy experiment. If you have a group of children that are up for the challenge of making soy ice while learning and having fun please contact Gloria Reimer at the Purdue Extension -Whitley County Office at 244-7615 or gjreimer@purdue.edu.