Brewing Master

Question:

Can any of you guys help me out??  My 6th grade son wants to do a science fair project using yeast or CO2, we seem to have a lot of both around the house.  Problem is, I cant think of anything that would be good for a 6th grade project. Any ideas would be great. Thanks Spitdriver

Response:

Uh, how about yeast + nutrient = alcohol + CO2 and cell division etc…  Is that not advanced enough for a 6th grade project?  Or maybe it’s too advanced? – Jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can any of you guys help me out??  My 6th grade son wants to do a science fair project using yeast or CO2, we seem to have a lot of both around the house.  Problem is, I cant think of anything that would be good for a 6th grade project. Any ideas would be great. Thanks Spitdriver

Response:

How about measuring the effects of temperature on rate of fermentation? My daughter did something like that for (IIRC) 6th or 7th grade science fair… we used bread yeast and sugar water with a little yeast nutrient added, and put balloons over the tops of some bottles to measure the volume of CO2 being produced (as indicated by the diameter of the balloons).  Or you could show her how to use the hydrometer, instead of doing the balloon thing… — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can any of you guys help me out??  My 6th grade son wants to do a science fair project using yeast or CO2, we seem to have a lot of both around the house.  Problem is, I cant think of anything that would be good for a 6th grade project. Any ideas would be great. Thanks Spitdriver

Response:

Uh, how about yeast + nutrient = alcohol + CO2 and cell division etc…  Is that not advanced enough for a 6th grade project?  Or maybe it’s too advanced?

This does sound like a good project, but I’d check with the teacher about the idea first.  Not sure if the school would have a problem with the alcohol thing Hopefully not, but it’s better to ask than end up getting suspended for violating some policy. John. —                            *** John P. Kolesar ***            *** Head Administrator, Monty Python’s Flying Talker ***

Response:

Rootbeer!  Aside from learning about yeast propagation, etc., he’ll be the hit of the class when they get to drink his "experiment".  You can find RB kits at most home brew shops (local or via the internet). Mike

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can any of you guys help me out??  My 6th grade son wants to do a science fair project using yeast or CO2, we seem to have a lot of both around the house.  Problem is, I cant think of anything that would be good for a 6th grade project. Any ideas would be great. Thanks Spitdriver

Response:

Howdy Spit, How about having him do a pure strain yeast ranch operation? this would involve selecting a yeast cell with a microscope and an inoculating loop, then growing it in a petri dish. Picture documentation of the project would make a good visual. He could even try a couple different strains. Apparently, wild strains will often have peculiar growth characteristics like odd shaped colonies, et cetera. An added bonus is, you might never have to buy yeast again, since you’ll have your own expert to keep the yeast bank for you! -Brett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can any of you guys help me out??  My 6th grade son wants to do a science fair project using yeast or CO2, we seem to have a lot of both around the house.  Problem is, I cant think of anything that would be good for a 6th grade project. Any ideas would be great. Thanks Spitdriver

Response:

Can any of you guys help me out??  My 6th grade son wants to do a science fair project using yeast or CO2, we seem to have a lot of both around the house.  Problem is, I cant think of anything that would be good for a 6th grade project. Any ideas would be great.

1.  Explain how Yeast converts sugar to alcohol 2.  Explain how a hydrometer (and/or specific gravity of liquids) works 3.  Explain how yeast is a living plant like organism. (Culture/Wash/Recycle Yeast) 4.  Show how CO2 (produced from yeast) is heavier than air CyLZ

Response:

we did the "producing ethanol fuel from grain" even the science teacher at his catholic school just winked at the fact that it was a batch of beer. the kids liked the airlock bubbling and watching the carboy

Response:

You could always do bread.  After all yeast is what makes it rise.  You could show normal  bread and unlevened (sp?) bread and discuss what makes it that way. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – we did the "producing ethanol fuel from grain" even the science teacher at his catholic school just winked at the fact that it was a batch of beer. the kids liked the airlock bubbling and watching the carboy

Response:

Howdy Spit, How about having him do a pure strain yeast ranch operation? this would involve selecting a yeast cell with a microscope and an inoculating loop, then growing it in a petri dish.

First you streak out some cells on an agar plate, and then select isolated colonies (which theoretically have started from one cell).  Restreaking of that single colony can be done to ensure isolation of one cell.  You could then look at the cells under the microscope. I think that would make a pretty cool science project. Brian P.

Response:

now thats thinking ahead but don’t we have child labor laws in this country..lol Bill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Howdy Spit, How about having him do a pure strain yeast ranch operation? this would involve selecting a yeast cell with a microscope and an inoculating loop, then growing it in a petri dish. Picture documentation of the project would make a good visual. He could even try a couple different strains. Apparently, wild strains will often have peculiar growth characteristics like odd shaped colonies, et cetera. An added bonus is, you might never have to buy yeast again, since you’ll have your own expert to keep the yeast bank for you! -Brett Can any of you guys help me out??  My 6th grade son wants to do a science fair project using yeast or CO2, we seem to have a lot of both around the house.  Problem is, I cant think of anything that would be good for a 6th grade project. Any ideas would be great. Thanks Spitdriver

Response:

I am a high school science teacher and ex science fair judge. Almost any of the previous suggestions would be suitable for a Grade 6/7/8 project. Judges like projects where the student is cabable of doing the work and interpreting the results with minimal assistance from parents and that goes beyond the curriculum. Check with the school to see if they would allow a 23 litre carboy of fermenting "stuff". Some fairs have limits on the size of displays (as well as weight limitations). I love science (especially applied sciences) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can any of you guys help me out??  My 6th grade son wants to do a science fair project using yeast or CO2, we seem to have a lot of both around the house.  Problem is, I cant think of anything that would be good for a 6th grade project.

Response:

Make soda pop. —  Dan Listermann Check out our E-tail site at http://www.listermann.com Take a look at the anti-telemarketer forum.  It is my new hobby!

You could always do bread.  After all yeast is what makes it rise.  You could show normal  bread and unlevened (sp?) bread and discuss what makes it that way.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – we did the "producing ethanol fuel from grain" even the science teacher at his catholic school just winked at the fact that it was a batch of beer. the kids liked the airlock bubbling and watching the carboy

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