A group of students present their final product to the judges.

WARSAW — “Is a cook a scientist?” asked Master Chef Dani Barkey. Students at Washington Elementary learned the answer to that Tuesday afternoon for STEM.

Students answered the question by explaining what a scientist and cook may have in common. One student explained that “both a scientist and cook have to measure things,” hitting the lesson’s main point in physical science for the day. “The most important thing they learn from the deviled eggs is measurements,” explained Washington’s science teacher Paige Wood. “We’re learning about volume and mass, and the mixtures teach students how the volume of each ingredient affects the final product.”

Barkey walked the students through the different stations in the deviled egg building process. Students worked in groups to peel two eggs and create the “perfect” deviled egg filling. With a wide array of options, groups measured out the ingredients of their choice and plated the eggs in a beautiful way. Prior to releasing the students though, Barkey warned them “to consider who their judges were and determine what ingredients would best reflect the judges’ tastes,” cautioning a careful use of the spicy ingredients.

Students presented their finished product to volunteer judges Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. Lucke and Mrs. Fitzgerald. The judges wrote down their thoughts for students to receive prior to fall break. “Next time we’re going to use cookies, and the kids will really learn about mass with the gases and heat. They’ll be in for a shock after this,” stated Wood.

Nine volunteers from the school and community came out to help with the event.