ISU Extension for Jefferson County holds Clover Cookie Factory Day Camp

On Monday, Nov. 7, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for Jefferson County held a Clover Cookie Factory Day Camp for 4th-7th graders. This was a no-school day for both the Fairfield and Pekin school districts. The eleven students who attended were presented with two cookie flops that were made by the cookie factory. Then, using the scientific method, they hypothesized about what was wrong with each cookie, performed experiments to learn what each ingredient in the cookies does and why it is important, and then drew from their experiment results to make a conclusion.

The experiments that students performed were a hypothesis practice, using bags of M&M’s and Skittles to learn about data, emulsions by mixing eggs and other ingredients and comparing them each to the control group, making gluten balls to compare all-purpose flour with gluten free flour, and a caramelization experiment to learn about the importance to sugar and it’s flavor to a recipe. After performing the experiment, students were able to mix up their own sugar cookies, make cut outs to bake, and then decorate them with frosting and sprinkles. Students also participated in ice breaker activities, played games, and practiced working in small groups.

Courtney Burkhalter, Program Coordinator, and Hilary Lanman, County Youth Coordinator, led this day camp. Cindy Hall, Regional Director, and Rachel Fishel, Youth Program Specialist, also assisted. A special thanks to Hy-Vee for donating doughnut boxes to the students to take their cookies home in and to the Jefferson County Fair Board for use of the Cambridge Building.