36C-4 |
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K. M. CROWE1, W. E. Leathem2, and A. A. Bushway1. (1) Dept. of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Univ. of Maine, 5735 Hitchner Hall, Orono, ME 04469, (2) Hampden Academy, 1 Main Road North, Hampden, ME 04444 Bridging the educational gap between academia and the primary and secondary school systems is a major goal of the National Science Foundation GK-12 program. Currently in its 5th year at the Univ. of Maine, this program provides scientific enrichment and teaching opportunities to 12 Graduate Fellows who work with cooperating teachers in eleven school districts throughout Maine. Fellows integrate their academic and research expertise into the classroom through hands-on experiments, research projects, and field trips. The classroom experience is further enhanced by incorporating scientific laboratory equipment into lessons and labs. The pairing of Fellows with cooperating teachers having complimentary curriculum goals is essential to successful student learning. For example, the incorporation of agriculture and food chemistry into high school chemistry classes has broadened the science content knowledge of participating students. Collaborating with their Fellow, Univ. of Maine faculty, and an organic blueberry farmer, students took part in a research project aimed at developing a blueberry tea product from blueberry leaves. The objectives of this project were to incorporate real research into the classroom, to introduce students to experimental design of scientific projects, and to explore the role of anthocyanins in plant leaves and in the human diet. Anthocyanin extraction and analysis using UV-vis spectrophotometers was conducted during a three-week period in late fall in order to assess the optimum time for leaf harvesting based on leaf anthocyanin content. Additional labs have covered such topics as Concentration and Dilution of Food Dyes, Chemistry of Autumn: Plant Pigment Extraction using Thin Layer Chromatography, Anthocyanins as pH Indicators, and Analysis of Vitamin C in Fruit Juices. The partnering of the NSF GK-12 program with the Univ. of Maine has significantly enhanced the overall science content of the state's educational system. More specifically, the incorporation of agriculture and food chemistry into the classroom has fostered a renewed sense of student appreciation for science in general.
Session 36C, Education: General
2005 IFT Annual Meeting, July 15-20 - New Orleans, Louisiana |