Professional Development Program for Teachers

Take advantage of the current trends in food science.

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The Curriculum

Developed by the FDA and a team of curriculum advisors for
Middle and High School educators.

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How to Register

About the Program

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FDA’s Professional Development Program in Food Science has evolved to an asynchronous training course consisting with four separate classes – one for each of the curriculum topics:

Science and Our Food Supply: Investigating Food Safety from Farm to Table

Science and Our Food Supply: Using the Nutrition Facts Label to Make Healthy Food Choices

Science and Our Food Supply: Exploring Food Agriculture and Biotechnology

Science and Our Food Supply: Examining Dietary Supplements

Choose training in all four curriculum topics or just those that work with your classes. Complete each training topic within three weeks and earn one CEU credit for each class. This ongoing program is supported and directed by the FDA and administered by Graduate School USA.

Registration for this new, asynchronous, online training program will open on June 30 for the first course in the series: Using the Nutrition Facts Label to Make Healthy Food Choices. Space will be limited for this class that starts on July 17. Complete the course within 3 weeks to receive one CEU for your 10 hours of training.

Click here to be placed on a notifications list when the registration site opens.

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, Agricultural Biotechnology, and Dietary Supplement Education.

Investigating Food Safety from Farm to Table

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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.

Using the Nutrition Facts Label to Make Healthy Food Choices

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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.

Exploring Food Agriculture and Biotechnology

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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.

Examining Dietary Supplements

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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

 

 

Please return to this site in June 2023 to register for this new asynchronous course that will begin in July.

How to Register

This course is available free of charge to teachers who qualify. Participants must meet the following Eligibility Requirements:

  • 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 a current teaching certificate to be included with your registration. (If a teaching certificate is not required by your current school, a letter of explanation will be required.)

Questions? Please refer to the CONTACT link at the top of this page.

Resources Discover the many great resources to enhance your classes. Full List

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The Partnership for Food Safety Education – Fight Bac!

This site has links to food safety curricula for grades K – 3 and 4 – 6.

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Food Insight

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.

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Bad Bug Book

The Bad Bug Book 2nd Edition, released in 2012, provides current information about the major known agents that cause foodborne illness.

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FDA Resource

The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) provides services to consumers, domestic and foreign industry, and other outside groups.

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CDC Teacher Roadmap

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).

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Frequently Asked Questions Get your answers here.

The FDA Professional Development Program has evolved into an asynchronous, online course that will be available in July 2023.
Registration will begin on June 30. Click here to be placed on a notifications list when the registration site opens.
Yes, all teachers who meet the Eligibility requirements may register.
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 an up-to-date teaching certificate that will be uploaded as part of your registration
Teachers who fulfill the eligibility requirements and commit to completing the course are eligible.

There is a limited number of course seats each year depending on FDA’s funding. Once the limit has been reached, no more registrations will be accepted until there is additional funding.
You must be a certified teacher to register. However, if your current school does not require a teaching certificate, please submit a Letter of Explanation in lieu of the certificate document.
You will receive a confirmation via email upon receipt of your completed registration form in or after June 30. Please refer to the Contact link at the top of the page if you have questions.
Your confirmation will include a syllabus and list of online resources for the course.

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