Connecting the public to concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is an essential for technological advancement and inspiring future scientists, impacting both the communicator and the audience's understanding of scientific topics. Without proper communication of scientific knowledge, acceptance and implementation of…

The number of online courses offered by universities in America continues to increase. Due to limited direct interactions with students, these courses can struggle to promote student engagement. Food science is uniquely situated for implementation of hands-on project-based learning opportunities since basic experiments can be performed in a…

The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in early 2020 has led to tremendous disruptions in education systems worldwide, including the closure of majority of education institutions and the shifting from face-to-face learning toward remote learning. More than 70% of the world's student population were affected by such a disruptive event,…

It began in 1869, and today we have 118 elements listed in the Periodic table, thanks to Mendeleev's work. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen are elements presented in many organic compounds. Some of them can exhibit photophysical and photochemical properties. Herein, we proposed an easy to make an experiment in chemistry classes to connect…

Higher education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines has been in a turbulent period for several decades. Pressures for reform include declining STEM student enrollments, high attrition rates from STEM curricula, and the rise of powerful alternative teaching strategies shown by cognitive science and educational…

In STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses, undergraduate laboratory classes are vital for students to develop competencies such as critical observation, collaboration, critical thinking, technical, and problem-solving skills. Thus, for students to successfully acquire these competencies, preparation for laboratory classes…

Through a collaboration between a professor in academia and an industry professional, entry-level food science students were given the opportunity to critically evaluate the safety of energy drinks. This evaluation occurred through a General Education (Category A3) course designated "Critical Thinking" at California State University --…

Entrepreneurship brings several benefits, such as fostering innovation and productivity, competitiveness, and socioeconomic development. The search for professionals with different skills to overcome the current and foreseen challenges is relevant in the agri-food sector. Problem-based learning (PBL) is described as an instructional approach,…

There is a growing body of research that suggests better course outcomes for instructors that incorporate active learning into their curriculum. Laboratory exercises can be used to promote active learning. The objective of this study was to develop and assess the efficacy of a gluten-free bread laboratory exercise for an undergraduate course…

A broad range of approaches to learning such as traditional lectures, laboratory learning, online learning, and active learning are used in higher education settings. Specifically, in the field of science and technology, laboratory learning is crucial and a form of active learning. The objective of this study was to examine the use of these four…

Organizational patterns can serve as a teaching strategy for instructors and as a learning tool for students to develop their expository writing skills, which are commonly required for assignments (for example, laboratory reports and research papers) in Food Science courses and in their future careers. The article discusses the importance of…

A situated learning exercise was employed to teach food safety content in agribusiness management classes at Renmin University in China. Pedagogical objectives included proficiency at identification and assessment of food safety risk factors, source causation factors, and risk mitigation strategies. Identified themes emerging from student ex-post…

Fifty-five Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs) comprise the required content for food science degrees approved by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), yet the importance of each outcome for graduate industry readiness is expected to vary. To analyze this variance, we assessed the industry relevance of IFT's recently revised (2018) ELOs and…

Recruitment of food science and technology graduates remains a priority for the UK food industry in the wake of skills shortages. As a result of the contemporary pressures faced by the food industry, it is essential that students applying for such roles are aware of and ready for management, leadership, and relevant professional competencies. This…

Automation is coming and will enable not only the ability to increase poultry processing line speeds, but also the collection of considerable "big data." These data can be collected "en masse," stored, analyzed, and used to improve food safety, quality, enhance traceability, and also be used for risk assessment. However, as…