How does cooking transform food and how can these transformations be understood as chemical processes?Cooking transforms food in many ways. Proteins in foods are broken down making it become firmer when heated. Cooking also causes proteins to lose moisture through steam from evaporation. The loss of moisture also causes protein rich foods to shrink. Carbohydrates are transformed by cooking such as caramelization. Starches normally soak up water and expand when heated. Fats also go through a transformation and liquefy. They then normally start to smoke once it gets too hot. Fibres and fruits get broken down and soften, they also lose some nutrients that naturally escape especially when boiled. Cooking food also releases compounds of flavor, as well as aromas. Cooking brings about chemical changes in food, texture and taste change when it is being cooked. We use many things to help our cooking that scientists use as well. Baking powder contains sodium hydrogencarbonate which breaks down when heating releasing carbon dioxide helping mixtures to rise while being baked. Food additives are also chemical changes to improve things such as appearance and flavor. Antioxidants are commonly used in food and prevent food from oxidizing in oxygen. Cooking involves many chemical changes such as creating new substances, irreversible processes and energy changes.
In what way(s) are cooking and doing science similar and in what way(s) are they different? How are a cook and a food scientist similar or different?
Science and cooking have many similarities. In many ways we must have certain measurements for the exact result. This is very important considering too much or too little of something can affect the overall result greatly. This goes for both cooking and science both. When experimenting with food and chemicals you can change many factors for different results. This allows you to find your own recipes and results. Science is to discover something new or experiment with new chemicals, writing down observations. You are doing it for the process and the end result. When I think of cooking you have more of the end result in sight. Cooking is more familiar to humans so we don't think about what is going into the process as deeply as science. When you are trying to discover something new you turn to science. When you are trying to fulfill those tummy rumbling deep within you, we turn to cooking.
In what way(s) are cooking and doing science similar and in what way(s) are they different? How are a cook and a food scientist similar or different?
Science and cooking have many similarities. In many ways we must have certain measurements for the exact result. This is very important considering too much or too little of something can affect the overall result greatly. This goes for both cooking and science both. When experimenting with food and chemicals you can change many factors for different results. This allows you to find your own recipes and results. Science is to discover something new or experiment with new chemicals, writing down observations. You are doing it for the process and the end result. When I think of cooking you have more of the end result in sight. Cooking is more familiar to humans so we don't think about what is going into the process as deeply as science. When you are trying to discover something new you turn to science. When you are trying to fulfill those tummy rumbling deep within you, we turn to cooking.
Water Quality in the Animas River Watershed: Reflection
What new information did you learn through doing this project?
During this project I learned about acid mine spills as well as The Gold King Mine Spill in silverton that released 9 million gallons of yellow water. In the water were many toxic metals, some reaching above the limits allowed for domestic water by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Development. Four of the major toxic metals include Iron, Copper, Manganese and Zinc. As the metals flow throughout the river they start to dissolve in the high pH water and become a solid metal resulting in less acidic water and metal stuck to the river floor. Because the pH tolerance values of the animas river aquatic life is 6-9 after four days of the spill there was still no effect to the aquatic life.
During this project my group had to make a decision to make a real prototype or not. We had a great plan and many resources that would have allowed us to create it but we felt like there wouldn’t be enough time. One of our group member was also going to be gone for a few days throughout the whole project. We decided not to make the prototype and use sketchup instead to get the overall idea out to the public. Another issue we had come across was deleting the entire sketchUp prototype and we weren’t able to recover it. Luckily the group member creating it had gotten much better and had familiarize himself with the tool and made an even better prototype in less time.
I believe that the study of water quality is extremely important considering we use it every single day. Having water is something people and animals and life must use to flourish and survive., Dirty water however can cause many diseases and kill aquatic life as well as humans and livestock. Even plants rely on water that isn't too contaminated with certain minerals or elements. Having the skills as humans to clean water is incredible important especially if we continue in the path we are with global warming, pollution, and things like mine spills. These all negatively affect our water and our healths, so as adults I find it very important to know what is being put into your water, what you flush down the toilet, and how well your water is being treated.
Artist Design Statement
ELEVATOR PITCH
Our exhibit is based off of the effects that come from acid mine drainage into mountain rivers. Our interactive exhibit will be displayed through a large scale diorama which can be used to show the effects of an acid mine spill through discoloration of water. Acid mine drainage can be harmful to aquatic and environmental life. Our goal is to inform our audience of the dangers of acid mine drainage and how the issue is solved through the water treatment process.
I WANT THE AUDIENCE TO LEAVE WITH THE FOLLOWING:
We would like our audience to learn about what acid mine drainage is, the amount of metals that are in the water, and how the drainage affects the ecosystem and aquatic life. We would like for them to walk away with knowledge on the pros of dilution and filtration as well as the affects the metals have on humans. Our audience will be engaged and having fun. We want them to feel involved in the interactive experience as well as use creative thinking to determine the outcomes from the spill based on our prototype.They will be curious about the treatment process, the amount of effort put into it and how they could have done more. They may be curious about what metals are in their drinking water and the way the water treatment plant is filtering these toxins. They may also want to know how the acids affect human well being.
THE STORY MY EXHIBIT TELLS IS?
The issues and challenges explored throughout our exhibit communicate how an acid mine spill effects the river quality, people, ecosystems, and aquatic life. Our exhibit shows the process of an acid mine spill in a river, flowing into Durango. It proves the river filters and dilutes the metals to an extent but it also shows the way the spill stays in the ecosystem. The scientific concepts that we are teaching include pH of the river before and after, dilution, filtration, and the amount and effects of the toxicity from the spill. The audience (if your a community member) will be able to remember the mine spill and effects it had on the community. When they can view a prototype of the same scenario on a smaller grid allows them to understand the process of the spill. They will have the ability to see where the metals and other toxins collect. A view of each stream will help create a dilution visual. At the end of the river there is a pool showing the amount of toxins that end up being filtered out at the Water Treatment Plant. To develop our design we used a lot of statistics from the original spill. We had to incorporate the same amount of water and particles released at the time and bring it down to a smaller scale. We decided on this topic because it was a major issue for the community when it happened and many people don’t understand the severity of it. We used SketchUp to create a model of our prototype. It includes a visual of durango with the river leading to a mine on the mountain. There are other streams feeding into the river to portray how it dilutes the river. Our work as well as our classmates work come together to form a broader picture of the river in our community.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Our project targets all ages. We have designed a process that engages the audience with content as well as an interactive model. All levels of education are invited to participate and it includes different aspects for all types of thinkers.
INTERACTION LENGTH & STYLE OF ENGAGEMENT
We want our audience to interact with the design throughout the whole cycle. What we mean by that is when the mine spill flows throughout the river and gets to the end allowing the viewer to see the dilution, filtration, and the large amount of chemicals left in the river. Our exhibit has multiple engaging aspects such as running water, sparkles for the chemicals and a prototype that displays Durango. They will also be extremely engaged because it has been an issue in the past for our community with Silverton being a main contributor to mining around the Animas river. Our exhibit allows a lot of hands on activity. You will be able to work with glitter, water, pebbles and many other substances representing the chemicals in a mine spill. The role you will be playing is that of a passerby. You will learn how the process works and the causes and effects. You will be able to view our model as a citizen of Durango.
DEFENSE
Our exhibit should be included in the City of Durango’s final plans for the remodeled Santa Rita Wastewater Reclamation Facility because it would be a great educational addition to the facility where people of all ages could learn about acid mine drainage. Our interactive model can teach a wide variety of community members and be used to teach them about the treatment process of acid mine drainage.
What new information did you learn through doing this project?
During this project I learned about acid mine spills as well as The Gold King Mine Spill in silverton that released 9 million gallons of yellow water. In the water were many toxic metals, some reaching above the limits allowed for domestic water by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Development. Four of the major toxic metals include Iron, Copper, Manganese and Zinc. As the metals flow throughout the river they start to dissolve in the high pH water and become a solid metal resulting in less acidic water and metal stuck to the river floor. Because the pH tolerance values of the animas river aquatic life is 6-9 after four days of the spill there was still no effect to the aquatic life.
During this project my group had to make a decision to make a real prototype or not. We had a great plan and many resources that would have allowed us to create it but we felt like there wouldn’t be enough time. One of our group member was also going to be gone for a few days throughout the whole project. We decided not to make the prototype and use sketchup instead to get the overall idea out to the public. Another issue we had come across was deleting the entire sketchUp prototype and we weren’t able to recover it. Luckily the group member creating it had gotten much better and had familiarize himself with the tool and made an even better prototype in less time.
I believe that the study of water quality is extremely important considering we use it every single day. Having water is something people and animals and life must use to flourish and survive., Dirty water however can cause many diseases and kill aquatic life as well as humans and livestock. Even plants rely on water that isn't too contaminated with certain minerals or elements. Having the skills as humans to clean water is incredible important especially if we continue in the path we are with global warming, pollution, and things like mine spills. These all negatively affect our water and our healths, so as adults I find it very important to know what is being put into your water, what you flush down the toilet, and how well your water is being treated.
Artist Design Statement
ELEVATOR PITCH
Our exhibit is based off of the effects that come from acid mine drainage into mountain rivers. Our interactive exhibit will be displayed through a large scale diorama which can be used to show the effects of an acid mine spill through discoloration of water. Acid mine drainage can be harmful to aquatic and environmental life. Our goal is to inform our audience of the dangers of acid mine drainage and how the issue is solved through the water treatment process.
I WANT THE AUDIENCE TO LEAVE WITH THE FOLLOWING:
We would like our audience to learn about what acid mine drainage is, the amount of metals that are in the water, and how the drainage affects the ecosystem and aquatic life. We would like for them to walk away with knowledge on the pros of dilution and filtration as well as the affects the metals have on humans. Our audience will be engaged and having fun. We want them to feel involved in the interactive experience as well as use creative thinking to determine the outcomes from the spill based on our prototype.They will be curious about the treatment process, the amount of effort put into it and how they could have done more. They may be curious about what metals are in their drinking water and the way the water treatment plant is filtering these toxins. They may also want to know how the acids affect human well being.
THE STORY MY EXHIBIT TELLS IS?
The issues and challenges explored throughout our exhibit communicate how an acid mine spill effects the river quality, people, ecosystems, and aquatic life. Our exhibit shows the process of an acid mine spill in a river, flowing into Durango. It proves the river filters and dilutes the metals to an extent but it also shows the way the spill stays in the ecosystem. The scientific concepts that we are teaching include pH of the river before and after, dilution, filtration, and the amount and effects of the toxicity from the spill. The audience (if your a community member) will be able to remember the mine spill and effects it had on the community. When they can view a prototype of the same scenario on a smaller grid allows them to understand the process of the spill. They will have the ability to see where the metals and other toxins collect. A view of each stream will help create a dilution visual. At the end of the river there is a pool showing the amount of toxins that end up being filtered out at the Water Treatment Plant. To develop our design we used a lot of statistics from the original spill. We had to incorporate the same amount of water and particles released at the time and bring it down to a smaller scale. We decided on this topic because it was a major issue for the community when it happened and many people don’t understand the severity of it. We used SketchUp to create a model of our prototype. It includes a visual of durango with the river leading to a mine on the mountain. There are other streams feeding into the river to portray how it dilutes the river. Our work as well as our classmates work come together to form a broader picture of the river in our community.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Our project targets all ages. We have designed a process that engages the audience with content as well as an interactive model. All levels of education are invited to participate and it includes different aspects for all types of thinkers.
INTERACTION LENGTH & STYLE OF ENGAGEMENT
We want our audience to interact with the design throughout the whole cycle. What we mean by that is when the mine spill flows throughout the river and gets to the end allowing the viewer to see the dilution, filtration, and the large amount of chemicals left in the river. Our exhibit has multiple engaging aspects such as running water, sparkles for the chemicals and a prototype that displays Durango. They will also be extremely engaged because it has been an issue in the past for our community with Silverton being a main contributor to mining around the Animas river. Our exhibit allows a lot of hands on activity. You will be able to work with glitter, water, pebbles and many other substances representing the chemicals in a mine spill. The role you will be playing is that of a passerby. You will learn how the process works and the causes and effects. You will be able to view our model as a citizen of Durango.
DEFENSE
Our exhibit should be included in the City of Durango’s final plans for the remodeled Santa Rita Wastewater Reclamation Facility because it would be a great educational addition to the facility where people of all ages could learn about acid mine drainage. Our interactive model can teach a wide variety of community members and be used to teach them about the treatment process of acid mine drainage.
View from the top.
View from the side.