Chemistry in the Kitchen

When January Term 2025 was reimagined, one of the most exciting developments was the introduction of SPARK Sessions, an idea born out of our Day of the Girl programming. Designed to place students front and center as teachers, SPARK Sessions allowed students to share their passions, skills, and curiosities with classmates and faculty. From the start, there was genuine excitement about what might emerge.

Students eagerly signed up to lead sessions called Ice Cream 101, Lifestyle of Chickens, Biochemical Cooking, Nail Care, Wardrobe Management, Friendship Bracelets, Creative Writing, Horror Movie Analysis, and Japanese Stationery. Each session reflected creativity, confidence, and joy in learning. While every class brought something special to the experience, one in particular stood out.

Anaiah C.G. ’26 created and led a SPARK Session called Biochemical Cooking. Hosted in Mrs. Morrison’s room in Holt, the class invited students to explore the science behind everyday cooking, blending hands-on experimentation with chemistry and thoughtful analysis. The session quickly became a favorite, sparking curiosity and conversation well beyond the classroom.

The impact of Anaiah’s idea did not end there. This year, the class was expanded and added to the afternoon January Term schedule. Now renamed Chemistry in the Kitchen, it has become a permanent offering within our January Term program, a testament to the power of student-driven learning and innovation.

Anaiah shared what inspired her to create the course. “I’ve always been interested in the field of medicine as a child, and I also really enjoyed cooking. When I realized that certain foods can actually have helpful benefits to health issues that are in my family, I went down a rabbit hole of learning about biochemistry, biophysics, and nutrition to learn how I can help.” As her interests grew, so did her love of research and discovery. “I realized that I really enjoyed learning and researching the chemical composition of foods, so when I had the chance to create a SPARK session last year, I thought it would be perfect to do something I love.”

Through Chemistry in the Kitchen, students learn about chemical processes such as caramelization and protein denaturation, gaining a deeper understanding of how science shows up in everyday life. For Anaiah, the experience has been especially meaningful. “It was super fun, and it taught people about different chemical processes that occur in cooking. Overall, it was probably one of my favorite activities I led at Chatham Hall.”

Chemistry in the Kitchen is a powerful example of what happens when students are trusted to lead, explore, and share what excites them. At Chatham Hall, January Term continues to be a space where curiosity turns into opportunity, and student ideas can grow into lasting programs.