Whip It: Make Your Own Butter

Cause a chemical change in cream to create butter.

Wednesday, August 5

You will cause a chemical change in cream to create butter! Before you begin, place the cream on a counter for a few hours. It needs to be at room temperature. When we prepare food, it often changes its texture or form. For example, we get milk from a cow and it is a liquid. But it can become butter, yogurt, cheese, whipped cream, or even skim milk. All of those come from the same main ingredient—but what it becomes is different based on what we do to it.

This activity is for ages 6-10, but anyone can join.



Please make sure you have parent/guardian permission before you begin this activity.

Supplies:

• 1 Small glass jar that seals
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream (room temperature)
• A cracker or a piece of bread

The Challenge:



Step 1: Getting Started

• Watch this video on making butter: youtu.be/QBaD8HnQFVk. There were a lot of science words in this video. Which of these did you hear: globules, emulsion, membranes, colloid?
• Write down one of those science words. What does it have to do with making butter.

Step 2: Shake It Up

• Let’s get started! Pour your cream into the jar and seal tightly.
• Begin to shake your jar. You might want a partner because your arms will get tired. It can take a long time—especially if your cream is still cold!
• After about 5 minutes, take off the lid to see if you have butter yet. It may take up to 20 minutes of shaking.
• Spread some butter onto your cracker or piece of bread to taste it.
• Think about the video. Do you remember why you let the milk get warm?



Step 3: Time to Reflect

• What did you like about this activity?
• This was hard work. What was your strategy to keep going?
• How might science help you be a better cook?

Extensions:

• Making Slime: https://myfuture.net/programs/DIY-STEM/Investigate/Slime-Challenge OR take a look at Slime in Outer Space: nickcommunity.com/sis