Skip to main content

Say Cheese! The Science Behind a Classroom Favorite

Middle & High School

Cheesemaking is one of the oldest examples of “accidental science.” Today, we know that cheese forms when helpful bacteria and enzymes work together to coagulate milk proteins into curds and whey. The enzyme rennin (also called chymosin) is especially important because it quickly curdles milk by acting on casein proteins. Bacteria also help by fermenting lactose into lactic acid, lowering the pH and enhancing flavor.  And the best part? You don’t have to just talk about these reactions; your students can watch them happen right in the classroom!

Bring Cheesemaking to Your Classroom with this Popular Kit

Ward’s Cheesemaking Kit is an easy, classroom-ready activity that allows students to make soft curd cheese while exploring enzymes, fermentation, and microbiology. They add safe bacteria to adjust pH, introduce rennin to form curds, and observe real biochemical changes over three class periods. Science activities this gouda shouldn’t be kept secret!

Kit

How the Activity Works

  1. Warm the Milk: Students gently heat milk to a lukewarm temperature—ideal for both bacteria and rennin to work.
  2. Add Beneficial Bacteria: These cultures begin converting lactose into lactic acid, helping curds form.
  3. Add Rennin: Rennin rapidly coagulates casein proteins, forming a soft curd layer.
  4. Cut and Drain the Curds: Students cut the set curd into cubes and drain off the whey, just like real cheesemakers.
  5. Press and Dry: Light pressing removes extra whey, leaving a fresh, soft cheese students can examine (and often taste!).
Mixing the cheese Tasting the cheese

Why Teachers Love It

The kit blends clear, visible science with hands-on fun, making it ideal for lessons on enzymes, microbes, and food chemistry. Students love seeing everyday biotechnology in action, and you’ll appreciate the simple setup and strong curriculum connections.

Shop the Kit

[StartProductBlock]

Ward’s Cheesemaking Kit

A fun, hands-on kit that lets students make cheese using milk and enzymes. Includes enough materials for 30 setups.

Shop Now

[EndProductBlock]

Promo code is for single use only. Excludes items with hazardous shipping; standard hazardous shipping gees will apply. Unless otherwise specified, contract discounts and special offers may not be applied to any itme priced with a final digit of '9' (i.e. $6.99; $10.09; $129.99). Offer excludes Somso models due to the custom nature of the product. Promotional discounts also may not be combined with other offers, discounts, or promotions.

X