IFST calls on government to recognise that food is an excellent vehicle to teach children science, supporting priorities in public health, an innovative economy, and the need to move towards a more sustainable food system. With the loss of food science A levels, the next government needs to do more to encourage the integration of food topics into the science curricula for secondary school children. The only secondary qualification dealing with food, the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE, while having scientific elements in the curriculum, has a greater emphasis on the skills of food preparation and cooking and will not automatically be seen as a core GCSE for those wanting to pursue a career in food science.
What IFST is doing about it
IFST currently supports schools in the investigation element of the GCSE by arranging mentors for schools and publishes food science resources for secondary schools under the Love Food Love Science banner (for more information see http://www.ifst.org/lovefoodlovescience)
IFST has an ongoing project to align food science resources to the sciences curricula and encourage their use and integration in the curriculum, through discussions with educational stakeholders. For more information and if you would like to support this activity, please contact us at info@ifst.org.
Students & Apprentices
This section includes all of the links to sections on the website to support our student and apprentice membership.
LOVE FOOD LOVE SCIENCE
Love Food Love Science gives secondary school teachers access to credible food science and technology teaching resources and mentoring support. It is provided free by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), a professional body for those involved in all aspects of food science and technology. IFST is an independent membership body, supporting food professionals through knowledge sharing and professional recognition.
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the means by which professionals maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge and skills and develop the personal qualities and competencies required in their working lives. It is a process for setting yourself objectives for development then charting your progress towards achieving them. It is about where you want to be and how you plan to get there.