With so many opportunities on offer it’s important that teachers are aware of the possibilities for their students’ future careers. It’s also vital that teachers receive support in their teaching of food science and the Chilled Food Association (CFA) has developed resources to help. There’s a range of free lesson plans that can be downloaded from chillededucation.org and also practical resources include the MicroTrumps card game, a new twist on the popular Top Trumps, using microbes as the theme.

MicroTrumps – what are they?The handy sized cards (measuring 15cm x 11cm) feature 14 microorganisms such as Clostridium botulinum and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Each has general and technical information alongside an electronmicrograph and fun cartoon of each organism. They can be used in the traditional way with students taking turns to trump each other in categories such as ‘dangerousness’ and minimum pH levels needed for growth.

Trumps in actionTeachers are being creative with their approach and are using the cards in other ways. Lesley Cummings is Head of Design and Technology at Queens School in Bushey. She has been using Chilled Education resources across Key Stage 3 and 4 and adapts the MicroTrumps game for each age group.

For Year 7 Lesley teaches a lesson she calls ‘The Fit Fridge’, focusing on correct and appropriate food storage. Lesley takes her students through the

preparation for cooking and explains the conditions for bacterial growth. She then explores what should be stored in the fridge and why it needs to be kept there. Students use magazines to identify which foods can be kept in the cupboard and which should be put in the fridge. They are asked to explain why they have made their conclusions. Some level of detail is needed, such as where in the fridge the food should be placed as well as reasons for storing, or not storing, in the fridge.

For her Year 8s Lesley teaches a food module that looks at nutrients and eating well. Students make a number of one pot dishes including savoury rice. They use the MicroTrumps to discuss the conditions for bacterial growth in the savoury rice dish. This includes issues of safe storage and reheating of rice.

33

in Food ScienceThe Chilled Education initiative aims to inspire young people to use their interest in food and science to follow a career in the chilled food industry. The sector is currently facing a skills shortage with 200+ science vacancies being advertised at any one time.

D&T Practice 3.2016.indd 33 22/08/2016 12:38:28

34

MicroTrumps DumpD&T Association trainer Barbara Monks has adapted the MicroTrumps game to produce MicroTrumps Dump. Aimed at KS3 the game encourages students to really understand the various microbes depicted. This includes characteristics such as: whether they are helpful; are they a virus or bacteria; their names and how they got them; and how they can be eliminated (by pickling, heating, chilling etc).

Students begin with 14 cards and are asked to dump a card of the microbe that has certain characteristics. So, for instance, dump one microbe that could be spread by washing raw chicken (Campylobacter jejuni), dump one that might survive in a fridge (Listeria monocytogenes) and dump one that is helpful (Lactobacillus acidophilus). The aim is to dump all the cards and, with each one is dumped, there is a learning point. As a further element of the lesson students are asked to think about their hands – often the vehicle of transmission for these microbes. Students draw around their hands and list five things they recall.

Taking the learning homeA MicroTrumps card can be taken home for the student to find out more and to relate the learning to the contents of the family fridge and store cupboards. Which foods might carry the microbes and why? Teachers can also use another Chilled Education resource at this point – the fridge thermometer. Chilled food is kept fresh in the fridge. But the fridge has to be the correct temperature (0-5°C). Chilled Education’s fridge thermometers glow green to clearly indicate when all is well. Teachers find these are great in the classroom and also allow students to take the learning home with them.

MicroTrumps can be used alongside other resources, such as Nanobugs temporary tattoos which can also be used in hygiene lessons, making them memorable and fun. Teachers are also using them as prizes or rewards.

The MicroTrumps resources were trialled before being offered to teachers. Kaarin Goodburn, CFA Director, explains: “We wanted to produce something that was versatile, conveyed many learning points and was fun to use. The Top Trumps format offered all of these. We worked with teachers, D&T Association trainers and industry food science experts to produce the various cards. And the cards are being put other classroom uses – primary science teachers are asking their students to create their own cards and finding students are retaining the information.”

“The MicroTrumps game has a key role to play in teaching, but it is also enjoyed by students who play it as a card game. It gets the message

across in a fun way.”

chillededucation.org has lots more useful information including real career paths and sample job descriptions to give your students the knowledge they need to help get them into chilled food.

Email: sales@techsoft.co.uk Website: www.techsoft.co.uk

Tel: 01745 535007 Fax: 01745 535008

TechSoft UK Ltd., Falcon House, Royal Welch Avenue, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, LL18 5TQ.

The Educational CAD/CAM Specialists

2D or 3D? - Students Need Both!

Most secondary schools and colleges will be very familiar with 2D Design and many will be helping colleagues introduce 2D Primary as the ideal tool for CAD in the KS2 D&T curriculum. We continue to work hard to make sure our flagship products provide the best possible platform for both technical drawing and creative graphics – all in one place. 2D Design and 2D Primary provide the simplest route possible for CAM output and unlimited opportunities for image and pattern creation – ideal for embroidery, Sublimation or Laser Image Transfer projects. Alongside 2D Design, 2D PCB gives students a simple but powerful tool to create PCB layouts then machine them directly or print 1:1 masks.

”Powerfully Simple 2D CAD/CAM That You’ll

Never Outgrow”

2D Design Ex. VAT

2D Design V2 Single Licence ......... £245

2D Design V2 Site Licence .............. £695

2D Design V2 Student Licence ..... £395

2D Primary Ex. VAT

2D Primary Site Licence .................. £95

2D Primary Student Licence .......... £95

2D PCB Ex. VAT

2D PCB Site Licence .......................... £275

2D PCB Student Licence ................. £125

2D Design Upgrades Ex. VAT

V1 to V2 Single Licence ................... £145

V1 to V2 Site Licence ........................ £295

V1 to V2 Site & Student Licence ... £395

Milling

3D Printing

”Simple 3D Modelling to Advanced Engineering.

Inspiration for Students”

2D CAD/CAM

Knife Cutters Ex. VAT

Stika SV-8E ............................ £285

CAMM1 GS-24 ..................... £1,095

Laser Cutters Ex. VAT

LaserCAM A3+ ..................... £10,995

LaserCAM A2+ ..................... £13,495

LaserCAM A1+ ..................... £18,995

Miller/Routers Ex. VAT

Roland SRM20 ..................... £2,795

RotoCAMM MDX-40AE ..... £4,695

Modela Pro II MDX-540AE £13,995

RouterCAM 1290 ................ £20,750

Embroidery Ex. VAT

Brother Innov-is 800E ....... £921

Brother Innov-is V3 ............ £1,416

Brother PR-655 .................... £4,250

Mill/Routing

Embroidery

Knife Cutting

Laser Cutting

3D Printers Ex. VAT

Robox ..................................... £833

Mojo SE .................................. £5,995

uPrint SE ................................ £9,995

3D CAD/CAM

Milling Machines Ex. VAT

Roland SRM-20 .................... £2,795

RotoCAMM MDX-40AE ..... £4,695

Modela Pro II MDX-540E .. £13,995

Going 3D with SolidWorks may seem like a big step but embracing 3D CAD alongside 2D Design will take student design work to the next level. SolidWorks gives students access to one of the most commercially relevant CAD systems available and it’s what they are likely to find at University, College or in future employment. The SolidWorks Education Edition provides ‘home-access’ for all, and once students get started, there’s no stopping them. SolidWorks is not just about 3D CAD, the Education Edition includes easy-to-use tools to fully analyse models and inform the essential iterative design process.

SolidWorks School Licence Subscription Benefits:• Automatic Updates to the Latest Version• Home Use of the Software• Curriculum Resources• SolidWorks Certification - Giving Students The Edge

SolidWorks Ex. VAT

SolidWorks Education Edition 2015-2016School Licence ............................................ £695(60 networked + 1 stand-alone + 1 year subs)

Subscription Renewal1 Year School Licence ............................... £400

3 Year School Licence ............................... £600

D&T Practice 3.2016.indd 34 22/08/2016 12:38:32