Science on tap: using beer brewing to foster epistemic interest in upper secondary biology

This study examines how beer brewing in upper secondary biology influences students’ interest in learning about enzymes and fermentation. Given that moderate social drinking is a cultural norm among Danish adolescents, the course was assumed to be relevant and likely to capture students’ interest. The study focused particularly on epistemic interest, which is driven by curiosity and the desire to learn academic material. A qualitative case study approach was used, involving three biology classes. Data was collected through two open-ended questionnaires designed to elicit students’ interests and analysed using thematic coding. Results showed that over half of the students expressed epistemic interest, citing personal relevance and a desire to understand the biological content. Findings also indicated that novelty and social interactions were significant sources of interest. However, 16% of students found the topic unengaging, highlighting the limitations of predefined contexts in universally fostering interest. The study underscores the need for educators to account for individual differences in interest formation. Ethical concerns regarding alcohol production in schools are also discussed, advocating alternative biochemical applications such as kombucha or fermented foods.