29A-9 |
National Science Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellows Program: Increasing scientific literacy with the use of food science |
P. J. HARRIS1, D. I. Skonberg1, and S. Michaud2. (1) Dept. of Food Science & Human Nutrition, Univ. of Maine, 5735 Hitchner Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5735, (2) Helen S. Dunn Elementary School, 1 Military Rd., Greenbush, ME 04467 The National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 fellows program at the University of Maine promotes science education and scientific literacy by allowing graduate fellows in science, math, engineering and technology programs to work directly with students and teachers from grades 2-12. The graduate fellows have an opportunity to share their knowledge in science and in particular their specific scientific area by teaching eight hours a week in the classroom. The objectives of this specific study were to promote food science education in students participating in the NSF program and to increase awareness of food science through hands-on activities. Fourth grade students participating in the NSF program were provided with science lessons twice a week. These lessons were constructed to meet the curriculum needs of the participating teacher’s school. Food science was incorporated into the science lessons whenever possible to enhance the science curriculum. A food science center was developed in one corner of the classroom and students who completed classroom assignments early were permitted to come to the center. Each individual activity took approximately five to ten minutes. Food safety, food chemistry and sensory evaluation topics were easily integrated into the food science center activities. In one food safety activity the students watched a 15 min video entitled “The Great Food Fight” and participated in a hand washing activity which explored proper hand washing techniques. The food science activities in the science class as well as in the food science center have been well accepted by the students. An assessment of learning showed that students were also progressing in science. They look forward to the science portion of class and are disappointed on days when they do not have science. Food science has been found to increase students’ science attitudes. The NSF GK-12 fellowship program in conjunction with food science education provides an environment which promotes food science awareness, improves science attitudes, and increases scientific literacy of students at the elementary school level.
Session 29A, Education: General
|