Welcome back, Chef ChrisP here: The big question: How can I use cooking to make learning more fun and engaging for students? During my Genius Hour this week, I spent some time researching how cooking can be used as an engaging learning tool for students. I explored how hands-on culinary activities support student engagement, creativity, and collaboration, especially for learners who struggle in traditional classroom settings (like me) This was the highlight of my week, meet my best student and son Cristian,

I learned that cooking naturally supports experiential and project-based learning. Measuring ingredients reinforces math skills, following recipes builds literacy, and working in a kitchen encourages teamwork, communication, and responsibility. Cooking also provides immediate feedback, which helps students build confidence and stay engaged. I also found that cooking can reduce student anxiety and increase participation because it is hands-on, familiar, and meaningful. Food connects to students’ everyday lives and cultures, making learning more relevant and inclusive. One challenge is balancing creativity with structure and safety. Cooking lessons require clear routines, expectations, and safety instruction. Access to time and equipment can also be a limitation, so lessons must be flexible and adaptable. Before the next Genius Hour, I plan to develop specific lesson ideas for Grade 9 and 10 students and explore assessment strategies focused on skills rather than just final products. I am also curious about how cooking can engage students who may not initially be interested in food-based learning. Overall, this week confirmed that cooking can be a powerful way to make learning more engaging, practical, and student-centered.