In a recent lesson, the students of Upper II discovered that maths isn’t just about doing sums – it can also help you make delicious pizza!
During this fun and interactive session, they combined their problem-solving skills with cooking, showing how mathematics and the kitchen can go hand-in-hand.
The task was clear: each student was going to make pizzas for two people. However, the recipe they were given was designed for four. Before any dough could be rolled or toppings added, the students had to do some calculations. Their challenge? Use their mathematical knowledge of measurements and scaling to adjust the recipe correctly for just two personal pizzas.
Scaling the Recipe:
The original recipe that served 4 called for:
Dough:
300g Self-raising flour (or gluten free flour)
300g Natural yoghurt (or dairy/lactose free yoghurt)
10g (2 tsp) baking powder
Sauce:
50g tomato puree
10g sugar
10g garlic powder
Sprinkling of mixed herbs
50ml water (add more gradually as needed)
Toppings:
100g mozzarella (or lactose or dairy free) cheese
Peppers decorated as you like
Sweetcorn decorated as you like
Students had to halve the recipe to make sure they had the right quantities for two pizzas. Working together, they calculated:
Dough:
150g Self-raising flour (or gluten free flour)
150g Natural yoghurt (or dairy/lactose free yoghurt)
5g (2 tsp) baking powder
Sauce:
25g tomato puree
5g sugar
5g garlic powder
Sprinkling of mixed herbs
25ml water (add more gradually as needed)
Toppings:
50g mozzarella (or lactose or dairy free) cheese
Peppers decorated as you like
Sweetcorn decorated as you like
They used weighing scales and measuring jugs to ensure accuracy, learning the importance of precision in both maths and cooking.
The Final Result:
Once the pizzas were prepared, they were placed in the oven, filling the Fab Lab with mouth-watering smells. After they were baked to perfection, students took them home to enjoy. Each pizza looked slightly different due to its unique topping choices and designs, but they all had one thing in common: they were delicious!
Lessons Learned:
This lesson highlighted that maths can be used in practical, creative ways. Whether halving a recipe or figuring out the perfect amount of sauce, maths is always present in the kitchen. It was a fun reminder that learning doesn’t always happen behind a desk – sometimes, it happens while cooking and collaborating with friends.
The students of Upper II not only made fantastic pizzas, but also reinforced their maths skills in a tasty and unforgettable way!
