Making Science Accessible for Kids: Edible Candy Models

Students can have their candy and sense a molecule at the same time thanks to a team that has developed an edible, candy-like three-dimensional models to help students detect molecules through the mouth. Dr. Bryan Shaw, a biochemist and biophysicist at Baylor University, was inspired to lead the research study resulting in these models based on the experiences of his son, Noah, who lost one eye to cancer and has partial vision in the other. According to the study, published in the journal Science Advances, “Students recognized structures by mouth at 85.59% accuracy, similar to recognition by eyesight using computer animation.” Students with vision impairment are generally discouraged from pursuing subjects like chemistry – and other STEM (science, technology, engineering, technology) subjects — that utilize 3D images for training that are not accessible to those with vision impairment. The study used gummy bear-like models to sense protein molecules through the tongue and lips. Read more about it in News Hook: here.