Iowa State Uses Hands-on Workshops to Get High School Students Excited About Science

High school students who attend two upcoming events at Iowa State University should leave with a better understanding of the scientific world, plus career opportunities that exist in science. They'll also learn how attending Iowa State can help them pursue the scientific careers that appeal to them. These day-long workshops organized by the Iowa State University College of Agriculture have been held for about 20 years. This year's workshop will be April 18. It's the second year for a two-day workshop organized by the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, which is housed in both the College of Agriculture and the College of Human Sciences. This year's "Hooked on Science" event will be June 12-13. About 80 high school students and science, social science and agriculture teachers are expected at the April 18 workshop. The theme for the event is "Hurricanes and Other Natural Disasters." "Our goal is to help high school students learn about the social, economic, environmental and biological impacts of natural disasters and their connection to Iowa," said Beth Foreman, program coordinator. Faculty from several departments in the College of Agriculture will be presenters at the workshop. Sessions will be in laboratories scattered across the Iowa State campus, as students participate in hands-on activities related to topics such as infectious diseases, water quality, meteorology, economic impacts and how ecological changes influence hurricanes. Teachers will receive a resource manual filled with curriculum materials to use in their classrooms. The workshop is free, and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. To give all participants the chance for hands-on laboratory experiences, the "Hooked on Science" workshop June 12-13 is limited to 20 students and teachers. Students in grades 10-12 or attending community college, plus high school and community college teachers with an interest in science can attend. "We want to expose students and their teachers to the research and career opportunities available in the food science and human nutrition department," said Terri Boylston, associate professor. "Teachers will receive lesson plans that can be incorporated into their classroom." Boylston said on the first day, participants will work in labs, collect data and tour campus on a scavenger hunt as part of their exploration of the importance of soy in the human diet. "On the second day, faculty and students within our department will lead research sessions in the areas of food safety, food chemistry, product development, nutritional biochemistry and clinical nutrition," she said. There is a $25 registration fee. Overnight dormitory housing and meals will be provided. More information on both workshops is available online.