Grades: Rising 6th - 8th

Dates: July 20 - July 23, 2026

Meets: Monday - Thursday, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Cost: $495 early bird (through March 31); $520 regular registration. Lunch included at both price levels.

Course Description:  Food is an essential component of life! Food gives us the energy to live our lives and also brings us great joy. In this summer class, we will investigate food from a science perspective through hands-on experiments, cooking activities, and taste tests. Each day we will get to explore big and exciting questions in the field of food science. These questions include:

• What role do chemical reactions play in cooking?

• Why do certain unusual food combinations taste so good?

• What makes ice cream such a great sweet treat on a summer afternoon? And how do you make the perfect ice cream from a science perspective?

Get your taste buds and safety goggles ready as you journey on this fun food science adventure!

Instructor Bio: Jill Mankoff is a science teacher at the Branson School. She teaches Chemistry and Advanced Chemistry and has previously taught Physics. She focuses on student-centered learning, and laboratory activities play a big role in her teaching. Jill is especially passionate about green chemistry and the science of climate change, sustainability, and green energy. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time outdoors.