IFT and Discovery Education Bring the Science of Food to America’s Classrooms

CHICAGO, July 19 -— The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) announces a new partnership with Discovery Education, the leader in digital video-based learning, to bring free, food-science-themed curriculum resources to classrooms across the country. The program, reaching approximately 18,000 public high schools nationwide, is designed to spark interest in food science and technology among U.S. high school students.

As part of this new partnership, IFT and Discovery Education will create two distinct, standards-based projects: a core-curricular science kit, and a career-focused curriculum kit highlighting the food science and technology profession. Together, these curriculum kits will be sent at no charge to over 36,000 high school science department chairs and career guidance counselors around the U.S., giving educators and students a new, more up-to-date view of food science and technology and the exciting, dynamic career opportunities available in the field.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently reported that between 2005 and 2010, universities across the country will not graduate enough students with food, agriculture and natural resource degrees to meet the demands of the food industry. The Institute of Food Technologists is dedicated to changing this alarming trend,” said IFT President Herbert Stone, Ph.D.

"IFT, the leading professional organization for food science and technology and Discovery Education have created a remarkable partnership. This new partnership, funded by the not-for-profit IFT Foundation and a valuable extension of IFT’s career guidance program, will produce must-have food science-focused educational materials for high school teachers, guidance counselors, parents and students nationwide.

“IFT and Discovery Education want to generate a greater awareness of the food science profession and illustrate the benefits of this truly rewarding career path,” Stone added.

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About IFT

Founded in 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists, with a membership of 22,000, is the leading professional not-for-profit scientific and educational society working in food science, technology and related professions in industry, academia and government. As the authoritative voice of food science and technology, IFT advocates the scientific perspective on food science and technology issues. For more information, visit http://www.ift.org.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, Inc., the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. The leader in digital video-based learning, Discovery Education produces and distributes high-quality digital video content in easy-to-use formats, in all core-curricular subject areas. Discovery Education is committed to creating scientifically proven, standards-based digital resources for teachers, students, and parents that make a positive impact on student learning. Through strategic partnerships with over 25 public television stations across the country, its public service initiatives, products, and joint business ventures, Discovery Education helps educators around the world engage students in the joy of learning by allowing them to explore the world and satisfy their natural curiosity. For more information, visit http://www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts:

Heather Lang, director, Executive Communications, Institute of Food Technologists, 312-782-8424 ext. 221 or hmlang@ift.org

David Pendery, Discovery Education, 301-272-2526 or David_pendery@discovery.com

Jim Klapthor, media relations manager, Institute of Food Technologists, 312-782-8424 ext. 231 (Chicago), 504-670-5629 (New Orleans) or jnklapthor@ift.org

Contact Information

Heather Lang

Media Contact

Institute of Food Technologists

Contact via E-mail