29A-8 |
Food science workshop for high school science teachers |
D. D. MILLER and J. M. Brown. Dept. of Food Science, Cornell Univ., 109-A Stocking Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-7201 The number of B.S. graduates from food science programs in the U.S. is insufficient to meet demands of graduate programs, the food industry, and government. Many high school students and science teachers are unaware of the exciting academic and career opportunities in food science. Our objective was to conduct a one-week workshop for high school chemistry, biology, and general science teachers designed to teach interesting, stimulating, and fun food science laboratory exercises for use in high school science classes. The workshop was held on the Cornell campus on August 4-9, 2002. The program was structured around key concepts in chemistry and biology that are mandated in the New York State High School Curriculum. In addition, participants toured food science labs and pilot plants on campus and attended a career night where IFT professional members from government, the food industry, and academia spoke about career opportunities in food science. Laboratory exercises for the program were adapted from several sources including the "IFT Experiments in Food Science Series", Food Chemistry, A Laboratory Manual by Dennis D. Miller, and Food Microbiology, A Laboratory Manual by Janice Brown. A notebook that that contained all the experiments plus key references (papers from Food Technology and other sources) was given to each participant. Nineteen teachers attended. They performed the lab exercises, actively participated in discussions, networked with each other, and offered suggestions for modifying the exercises to make them more suitable for the high school setting. Course evaluations were very positive. The teachers left with a much greater awareness of food science as a potential college major. Most of them plan to use at least one of the exercises in their classes and many promised to encourage their students to consider food science as a major.
Session 29A, Education: General
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