HARRISBURG, Pa. — High school students with a specific interest in food science have until May 6 to apply to attend the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Exploration Experience on May 28 at the Food Science Labs at the Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Centre County. The hands-on experimental learning opportunity will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will focus on “A Taste of Food Science.”
Hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania, the Exploration Experience is offered as part of the DLT Program to give high school students interested in dairy the opportunity to utilize formal education skills in hands-on experimental learning experiences. This year’s Exploration Experience is designed to cultivate interest in Food science and the potential career of a food engineer or food scientist. Through both a sensory evaluation and a food processing activity, students will be able to taste, smell, and feel all spectrums of food science with a focus on dairy products.
Students in 10th, 11th or 12th grade with a demonstrated understanding of chemistry and an interest in food science and/or dairy are eligible to apply. Any student attending must have a chaperone or advisor travel with them to the facility, and only 20 students will be accepted to participate. Applications must be submitted by May 6 to be considered and are available at https://www.dairyleadersoftomorrow.com/on-farm-experiences/exploration-experiences/. There is no cost to apply.
The interactive workshop will include a tour of the Berkey Creamery and Food Science Department, a Cheddar Cheese Sensory Evaluation, a Cheese and Ice Cream Hands-on Lab and lunch at the creamery. Penn State Food Science Department faculty and graduate students involved include Dr. Chris Sigler, Dr. Davis, Dr. John Coupland, Dr. Kerry Kaylegian, Dr. Federico Harte, Dr. Emily Furumoto, Grade Lewis and Kira Rigg.
The program is being held in partnership with the Penn State Food Science Department, is supported through the Dairy Excellence Foundation. It is an extension of the foundation’s Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Program, with participating students encouraged to consider enrolling in the DLT Program to receive industry-based certification in dairy.
The Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Program is a program designed specifically to prepare high school students to work in the dairy industry. A three-part model program, Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow offers classroom instruction, on-farm experiences and scholarship opportunities. The DLT curriculum can be found at dairyleadersoftomorrow.com and offers industry certifications in dairy herd management and dairy business management. It is supported though the Dairy Excellence Foundation.
For more information about the Exploration Experience on May 28 or the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Program, contact Brittany Haag, dairy education program manager at the Dairy Excellence Foundation, by calling 717-346-0849 or emailing bhaag@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
— Center for Dairy Excellence