Extending 4-H into the MiddleSchool Classroom through a Food

Science Curriculum

Jennifer Richards

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Food Safety in the Classroom

• Interdisciplinary unit

– Full lesson plans for science, math, social studies, and language arts

– Includes high-energy, hands-on activities

– Tied directly to state content standards for all four subjects

Food Safety in the Classroom

• Project is supported by

– USDA’s National Integrate Food Safety Initiative

– Grocery Manufacturer’s Association

– UT Food Safety Center of Excellence

Food Safety in the Classroom

• Project includes funding for:

– Teacher professional development

– All materials and supplies to implement curriculum

• Petri plates, loops, slides, stain, gloves, etc.

– Travel and training for Extension Educators

Ways to Participate

• Collaboration with middle schools in your county

• 4-H Project Activities

• 4-H Camp Activities

Overview of Curriculum

• Science – culture bacteria, stain and observe bacteria with microscope, eat “tortilla” cell models

• Social Studies – research foodborne outbreaks via web, map occurrence of foodborne illness, determine cause of illness

Overview of Curriculum

• Language Arts – write press release for foodborne illness outbreak, become food safety experts and share expertise with others

• Math – Graph food safety kitchen test data, model exponential growth and scale, analyze bacterial growth data with simple statistics

Collaborating with Schools

• Extension Educator responsibilities:

– Identify participating middle schools/teachers in your district

– Attend training workshop

– Help training teachers in your district

– Be on site for implementation to provide assistance

– Help collect evaluation data from participating students and teachers (surveys)

Collaborating with Schools

• Project provides funds for:

– Training of extension agents and cooperating teachers

– All curriculum materials and supplies

– Compensation for extension agents and participating teachers

4-H Club Participation

• Project will provide:

– Training for Extension Educators

– Materials and Supplies for completing curricular activities

– On-site instructional support may be available

Conclusion

• Project offers an excellent opportunity to provide county extension agents with the materials and supplies to supplement active participation in middle school classrooms!

If Interested Contact• Janie Burney

The University of TennesseeFamily&Consumer Science

(865) 974-7402 jburney@utk.edu

• Jennifer Richards

The University of Tennessee

Food Science and Technology

(865) 946-1089 jkr@utk.edu