Discovering Food Science: The Science of Popcorn
The goal of this fall camp is to allow middle and high school students (Grades 6-12) to learn about food science while experiencing authentic, hands-on learning activities. Students will learn about different corn grains and how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are intertwined to transform corn kernels into delicious popcorn.
Camp fee is $15. Financial scholarships are available!
Middle School Camp
Open to students 6th through 8th grades
High School Camp
Open to students 9th through 12th grades.
Residential
Tour and enjoy hands-on activities at the Food Innovation Center from 8.30 am until noon
Lincoln, Nebraska
Experience the new food science facilities on Nebraska Innovation Campus.
October 14, 2024: High school camp
October 15, 2024: Middle school camp
Registration closes on October 10th or when camp is full.
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Department of Food Science and Technology
Explore
- Apply scientific methods to explore complex topics in food manufacturing.
- Learn about research in areas of food for health, safety, quality, processing and beyond.
- Find out about how work here at UNL could revolutionize the food industry.
Investigate
- Evaluate changes in the sensory characteristics of popcorn
- Learn about the production of popcorn and why they pop.
- Use laboratory methods to assess different properties of food and how those impact production and quality of the popcorn.
Enjoy
- Experience the state-of-the-art food processing facilities at UNL.
- Tour Food Innovation Center.
- Making new friends!
Food Innovation Center
The Food Innovation Center is a 178,000 square foot complex serving private/public partnerships. The center provides world-class facilities for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Food Science and Technology Department and private companies in leased space. It features wet/dry lab research space, food grade/non-food grade pilot plant space, a state-of-the-art distance education classroom and office space. The UNL Department of Food Science and Technology has experts in the areas of food safety, health, and nutrition.
Leading this exciting new camp are Sarah Gergen and Dr. Rossana Villa-Rojas. Mrs. Gergen and Dr. Villa-Rojas have led numerous camps and hands-on activities to show students all about the science behind foods. Mrs. Gergen is the Student Service Coordinator for the Department of Food Science and Technology. She helps current and prospective food science and technology students navigate their program and university life. Dr. Villa-Rojas is a food engineer who teaches different courses in food science and technology and biological systems engineering. Her research focuses on how to kill pathogens like Salmonella in low-moisture foods, like grains, without affecting their quality.
Gain hands on experience this fall!
Essential Information
Residential camp
Tour and enjoy hands-on activities at the Food Innovation Center from 8.30 am until noon
Camp Fee
Camp fee is $15. Financial scholarships are available!
Daily Camp Schedule
Students check-in by 8:30 AM on October 14 for high school and October 15 for middle school and check-out by 12:00PM on the same day.
Who's Eligible?
Open to students in 6th through 12th grades.
Applications
Space is limited to 15 campers per day.
Supervision and Safety
Minimum of 1:10 teacher/counselor to student ratio. Certified faculty/teachers and experienced, trained undergraduate students/counselors.
