Students at the Wayne D. Boshears Center participated in a fun and educational science lesson titled “Salsa Time” as part of their Hispanic Heritage Month unit. The lesson focused on introducing students to Mexican culture through the exploration of food and the science of recipes.
The science theme for the week taught students what a recipe is and how following instructions carefully leads to the desired outcome. The students practiced using measuring spoons to prepare various ingredients listed in the salsa recipe. In addition to culinary skills, the lesson emphasized turn-taking, with each student taking turns adding ingredients to the bowl. Picture symbols were used to make the process more accessible, helping the students identify which ingredient came next.
After the salsa was prepared, each student had a chance to taste it and practice communication skills by expressing whether they liked the salsa. Out of the five students, two enjoyed the final product.
The “Salsa Time” lesson provided an excellent opportunity for students to learn about Mexican culture while developing essential fine motor skills like scooping and pouring. It was an engaging and hands-on interactive way for students to blend cultural education with practical life skills in a fun and educational environment.