Free lab/activity supplies for synchronous training & for virtual/classroom teaching!
The FDA Professional Development Program in Food Science is a training program for middle level and high school science, agriculture, health, and family and consumer science (FCS) teachers. This program provides teachers with an opportunity to learn how to provide inquiry-based lessons in food science for their students. This ongoing program is supported and directed by the FDA and administered by Graduate School USA.
This is a virtual training event that will take place July 11 - 15, 2022, from 11:30am - 5:30pm EDT.
Start your journey: Discover FDA's Science and Our Food Supply Curriculum!
The FDA Professional Development Program in Food Science is based on the Science and Our Food Supply curriculum, which focuses on Food Safety, Nutrition, and Food Agriculture and Biotechnology Education.
Disease outbreaks caused by foodborne organisms frequent the news. Each year, approximately one sixth of the U.S. population experience mild to severe illnesses caused by pathogens in food. This curriculum introduces students to the fundamentals of microbiology, while at the same time, imparts important public health information.
The Nutrition Facts label is an accessible tool with nutrient information to help make healthy food choices. Students will learn about the label, and that nutrition not only aids in general well-being, but also can help prevent or manage chronic diseases later in life.
The science and technologies of food production, transportation, storage, and preparation evolve to enhance food safety, quality, and varieties. Students will learn about new research methodologies that have enabled scientists to broaden their understanding of food science and about emerging technologies that help to safeguard health.
Teens are particularly vulnerable targets for misunderstanding what dietary supplements are and are often unaware of the potential benefits and adverse effects they can have on their bodies. This curriculum is designed to empower students to evaluate the accuracy and credibility of information they see and hear about dietary supplements.
Special Note
Applications are closed for the Summer 2022 program. Please visit this site in January for the July 2023 application.
How to Apply Get started with these 3 steps to apply for the Professional Development Program in Food Science.
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Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Be a U.S. citizen
Be employed full time as a middle or secondary school teacher (Grades 6 - 12)
Teach science, agriculture, health, or FCS in a public or private school in the United States, U.S territories, or DoD school system
Have at least 3 years of consecutive, full-time teaching experience by the program start date
Have a current teaching certificate to be included with your application.
(If a teaching certificate is not required by your current school, a letter of explanation will be required.)
This website is provided by the International Food Information Council Foundation and is dedicated to the mission of effectively communicating science-based information on health, food safety and nutrition for the public good.
CDC's Teacher Roadmap is a collection of resources for educators wishing to teach classes, units, or entire courses in epidemiology and public health sciences (EPHS).
Yes, the training will take place on a virtual platform, July 11 - 15, 2022; advance instruction will be provided on how to use the platform. Lab instruction will be taught by our facilitation team; all participants will be provided with materials the week before the program begins to perform the labs in participants’ homes or classrooms, as instruction takes place.
Detailed information about the application process is available on the How to Apply link.
Yes! We welcome teachers from these disciplines to apply for our professional development program. In fact, this professional development program has led to some great partnerships among multiple disciplines, since the curriculum addresses so many education standards. We welcome the knowledge that teachers from other disciplines bring – it enriches the program.
To be eligible to participate in the Professional Development Program in Food Science, you must:
Be a U.S. Citizen
Be employed full time as a middle school or secondary school teacher (Grades 6-12)
Teach science, agriculture, health, or FCS in a public or private school in the U.S, the US territories, or the DoD school system
Have at least 3 years of consecutive, full-time teaching experience by the program start date
Have an up-to-date teaching certificate that will be uploaded as part of your application
The review panel will consider all applications. However, all sections of the online application must be complete, with meaningful responses to the application questions (grammar and punctuation count). A current teaching certificate must be uploaded (or emailed if unable to attach) and your Principal/Supervisor’s letter of support and recommendation must be received by 5/27/2022.
You must be a certified teacher to apply. However, if your current school does not require a teaching certificate, please submit a Letter of Explanation in lieu of the certificate document.
Applicants will be notified of their status by email no later than June 1, 2022.
