Middle School students at Atlantic Christian School recently had the opportunity to bring science to life in a fun and memorable way.
As part of their study on the compound capsaicin—the substance that gives spicy foods their heat—Middle School Science Teacher Shauna Shull, along with Nurse Carrie Jorgenson, hosted a “Spice Challenge” for students.
In class, students learned how capsaicin interacts with receptors on the tongue, creating a sensation that the brain interprets as heat or pain. To help reinforce this concept, students were invited to participate in a hands-on challenge, sampling foods with increasing levels of spice.
Those who chose to take part experienced firsthand what they had been learning, as the effects of capsaicin became very real. The activity created a lively classroom, filled with laughter, learning, and a few surprised reactions along the way.
Mr. Christian Delacruz also joined in during one of the classes, adding to the fun and encouraging students as they stepped out of their comfort zones.
It was encouraging to see students learning, laughing, and experiencing science in a hands-on way.
