Home-Schooled Students Engage in Tasting Experiment at Library
On Wednesday, home-schooled students at the Stewart C. Meyer Harker Heights Public Library participated in an engaging STEAM exercise designed to explore the five senses. The program, part of a broader initiative to promote critical thinking and inquiry through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, encouraged students to discover the nature of liquids through observation, smell, and taste.
Exploring the Senses
Each student was presented with five clear cups containing liquids of various colors—blue, yellow, red, purple, and green. Heather Heilman, the reference librarian who organized the event, had prepared the cups ahead of time for the participants. The exercise began with students guessing the flavor of the liquid based solely on visual observation. They were tasked with writing down their predictions, sparking a lively discussion.
As the students examined the cups, they offered a range of guesses regarding the flavors associated with each color. Responses varied widely, with suggestions including strawberry, cherry, lemon, green apple, lime, grape, and even eggplant. “Why do you think the purple is grape juice?” Heilman asked, prompting further examination and debate among the group.
After the initial guessing phase, students were allowed to smell the liquids to refine their predictions. The atmosphere was filled with curiosity and laughter as they attempted to decipher the mystery of the colorful cups. “I would like to taste that,” Heilman remarked, sharing in their excitement.
The Big Reveal
Ultimately, participants were invited to taste the contents of each cup, leading to an amusing revelation. One student exclaimed, “They’re all the same — they’re Sprite.” Laughter erupted as the realization set in that the vibrant colors were merely the result of food coloring mixed with the clear soda. “Isn’t it interesting that your mind sees a color and chooses to believe it is a flavor it might not be?” Heilman noted, highlighting the psychological aspects of perception.
As the session concluded, Heilman encouraged the students to remain mindful of their senses when trying new foods. “Just because it’s green, doesn’t mean it doesn’t taste good,” she said, reinforcing the lesson that visual cues can often lead to misconceptions about flavor.
This STEAM program not only provided a fun and interactive experience for students but also fostered important discussions about perception and critical thinking. The library’s commitment to such educational initiatives continues to engage young minds and support their learning journeys.
