STEM Central’s water context is being extended to incorporate learning journeys for early to second level, and we are currently in process of developing our new context for the broad general education “Food Security”. Can’t wait? Why not take a look at this Beans on Toast activitiy from The James Hutton Institute (www.hutton.ac.uk). Just how much water goes into making a simple meal like beans on toast?

As the world’s population continues to grow the issues of food, water and energy security are becoming more and more important. By examining the amount of water required to make the food we eat every day you can discover just how vital access to safe and secure water supplies is.

First of all the different components of the meal were weighed before being dried in an oven at 70^°C so their dried weight could be measured. This showed the water content of beans and toast to be 60%.

However the water content of the meal itself is just a small proportion of the water required to grow or produce all the different ingredients in the meal and the second part of the activity looks at the many different stages of the production process that need water.

Suggestions and further information on how to conduct your own beans on toast project can be found on the Living Field website http://livingfield.hutton.ac.uk/people/beansontoast . The original beans on toast project was funded by the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) www.crew.ac.uk and conducted by student Sarah Doherty, who was supported by artist Jean Duncan during her visits to schools.