Turning Science Into Suds: Eighth graders Use Soap-making to Make a Difference
What began as a chemistry experiment, Middle School eighth graders have grown into something far more impactful through combining their creativity, financial skills and strong sense of purpose to benefit the local community.
This September, eighth grade science students began the year by diving into chemistry—exploring acids, bases, neutralization reactions, and the saponification process. After learning about the chemical processes, students put their know-how to work, making soap in the lab using plant-based oils such as shea and coconut combined with lye, a very strong base that requires careful attention to safety.
Working with lye requires that students handle this powerful substance with caution and precision. Equipped with protective gear and making exact measurements, St. Andrew’s students took on the responsibility of working with a powerful substance, which heightened their focus and made their soap-making success even more rewarding.
Working with lye requires that students handle this powerful substance with caution and precision. Equipped with protective gear and making exact measurements, St. Andrew’s students took on the responsibility of working with a powerful substance, which heightened their focus and made their soap-making success even more rewarding.
What’s more, what made this chemistry project unique is how it grew well beyond the science lab.
This fall, St. Andrew’s students didn’t just make soap this year, they designed it. From soap molds shaped like Fruit Loops floating in "milk," to strawberry lemonade bars complete with tiny drink umbrellas, to boba tea-inspired creations topped with boba straws, the students’ imaginations led to some of the most unique designs we’ve ever seen. This project became a fusion of science and creativity, and our classroom transformed into a collaborative, STEM-driven environment. Instead of us standing at the front, teaching through lectures, we became facilitators, standing side-by-side with students as they brought their ideas to life.
Leveraging soap-making skills to support the greater good
Now in its third year, the annual eighth grade soap-making project has grown into a powerful fundraiser. Our efforts are driven by a greater purpose: to sell soap, raise awareness for ALS and set a yearly fundraising goal for the ALS Foundation of Texas.
This year, the eighth grade class set an ambitious goal of raising $4000, an amount not yet reached by previous cohorts of eighth graders. Operating like a grassroots nonprofit, our students incorporated financial and math skills as they planned out their fundraising efforts. They set prices for their soaps, developed sales strategies, and practiced interpersonal skills, such as how to effectively ask for donations, even when no purchase was made. They were essentially running a business- deciding on product pricing, factoring in the cost of materials, and planning how best to reach their yearly goal.
On Grandparents Day this September, our eighth graders truly shined.
In the days leading up to the event, students presented their project during chapel, encouraging seventh and sixth graders to spread the word at home, raise awareness and encourage families to support the cause by purchasing soap or making donations. The strategy worked. On Grandparents Day, a team of eighth graders set up a sales booth in the Middle School Commons, while teachers led a soap-making activity with grandparents and special friends in the classroom.
For the first time ever, the students sold out of soap completely, raising $3,100 in a single day—an all-time record. But they didn’t stop there. Determined to reach and even exceed their $4,000 goal, students have continued making more soap outside of class, fully committed to seeing the project through to its success.
Rising to the challenge
Even more impressive, what started as a friendly competition between class sections, has turned into a unified, grade-wide effort. This year, the entire eighth grade came together to tackle this as one, not only mastering chemistry and entrepreneurship, but also demonstrating collaboration, compassion, and initiative.
As their teachers, it has been incredible to watch our students grow through this experience. This isn’t just about raising money or making soap, it’s about showing Middle School students that they have the power to make a difference in the world, and watching them rise to that challenge with creativity, heart, and determination. By combining creativity, financial skills, and a strong sense of purpose, our students have taken a classroom experiment and turned it into something far more impactful: a real-world initiative that benefits their community and makes a lasting difference.
