Happy birthday from your friends at Camp Invention!

Let's celebrate with curiosity and a whole lot of fun! Discover the delicious science of cooking and transform your kitchen into a fun-filled STEM learning lab, then get crafty with a DIY piñata.

Science of Cooking


 

Ingredients and Supplies You’ll Need:

  • 1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar
  • 1/8 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup of white sugar
  • 1 8- to 9-inch round cake layer (store bought, box mix or homemade)
  • 2 quarts of your favorite ice cream, softened
  • 8 egg whites
  • Baking sheet
  • Freezer-safe 8-inch round bowl
  • Fun decorations (sprinkles, chocolate chips, etc.)
  • Ice cream scoop or large spoon
  • Mixing bowl
  • Parchment paper
  • Plastic wrap
  • Spatula
  • Whisk

Step One

Remove your ice cream from the freezer and let it soften a bit. Meanwhile, line an 8-inch round bowl with plastic wrap. Once softened, scoop the ice cream into your bowl, packing it tightly. Place your ice cream back in the freezer overnight, or until it's rock solid.

 

Step Two

In a mixing bowl, create the meringue. Whisk together egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt until you get stiff peaks and set to the side.

Step Three

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place your cake in the center of the sheet . Next, remove your packed ice cream from the bowl and place it on top of the cake.

 

Step Four

Using your spatula, quickly spread the meringue over the ice cream cake, making sure it's completely covered. Place your baking sheet in the freezer for about 2 hours to let everything set.

 

Step Five

Preheat your oven to 425 F. Once the oven reaches temperature, bake your cake on the lowest shelf for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the meringue turns a lovely light brown. Decorate with your favorite toppings. Slice, serve and enjoy!

What Are We Learning?

What makes this dessert a fun and interesting experiment is how the meringue and sponge cake work together. They trap air in their structure, creating an insulating barrier. This helps keep the ice cream frozen despite the heat of the oven.

Spending time in the kitchen is a great way to practice precise measurements and fractions with your child! In fact, working with fractions is an important skill in baking. Just like adding or taking away an ingredient, having too much or too little of a baking component could have a major impact on your dessert. Take time to help your child work with various measurement tools and reinforce the importance of paying attention to fractions in baking. Don’t be afraid to practice persistence and try again if your first attempt falls flat!

 

*Recipe modified from allrecipes.com

Back to Top

DIY Piñata

 

 

Add even more STEM fun to your birthday celebration with a DIY piñata! Whether you envision a giant emoji, your favorite animal or a fun sports ball, there is no limit to what you can create! Your piñata can be any shape and size you want. Here are the materials you need:

  • Cardboard
  • Construction paper or paint (optional)
  • Glue Sticks
  • Masking Tape
  • Post-it® Notes
  • Rope or string
  • Scissors
  • Your favorite candy

Step One: Create the Shape

Cut two pieces of your cardboard in the same shape and size for the front and back of the piñata. Make sure to cut strips that will go around the sides. The thickness of the strips will determine the depth of the piñata. Don't forget to poke two holes in one strip for the rope!

 

Step Two: Put it Together

Attach the front and back of the piñata using your cardboard strips and masking tape, placing the holes for the rope at the top. Make sure to thread your rope through before you seal up your piñata! Once assembled, locate the best spot and cut a small flap to fill it with your favorite candy.

Step Three: Decorate

If you want to avoid any cardboard color showing through, tape construction paper around your piñata. Next, cover your piñata with your Post-it® Notes in any pattern or design. There are no rules, so think big, get creative and have fun!

 

Step Four: Fill and Hang

Once your piñata is complete, fill it with your favorite treats, then find the perfect spot to hang it and let the fun begin!

DID YOU KNOW

Post-it® Notes were invented by National Inventors Hall of Fame® Inductees Arthur Fry and Spencer Silver. While working at 3M, Silver began developing a new kind of adhesive. When his co-worker Fry needed a way to keep his bookmark in place without damaging pages, he found that Silver’s adhesive could do the trick! After overcoming manufacturing challenges, Post-it® Notes were introduced throughout the United States in 1980.

Explore our website to discover more world-changing inventors.

 

*Piñata modified from Tim Decker

Back to Top