Krefeld/Mönchengladbach. How much sugar is actually in orange juice and what effect do sugar substitutes have when baking? The aim of the Food and Nutrition Lab at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition Sciences at Hochschule Niederrhein is to give school students practical insights into food and nutrition sciences, to put what they have learnt directly into practice and to make research really tangible. Since it was founded a year ago, more than 1,000 pupils from the region have already taken advantage of the programme. The mobile school lab is now celebrating its first anniversary.
The modular pop-up laboratory can be used both on campus and directly in schools and imparts knowledge in so-called "science snacks". Each unit lasts 60 minutes. "In the workshops, current topics such as plant-based drinks, alternative proteins or kombucha are examined, health information is critically scrutinised and taste experiments are carried out," says Professor Dr Miriam Sari, who runs the Food and Nutrition Lab together with Lara Sibum.
The year 12 chemistry course at Anne-Frank-Gesamtschule in Viersen visited the lab for a workshop on sugar. The pupils baked biscuits using both conventional sugar and a sugar substitute. The aim was not only to discuss the properties and effects of the various sweeteners in theory, but also to experience them in practice.
"This allows the pupils to experience chemistry directly. This is not frontal teaching, but applied chemistry," says teaching education specialist Rainer Holste from Anne Frank Comprehensive School. In addition to baking, the participants also analysed the sugar content of various drinks. "I was totally surprised. I would never have thought that an orange juice has much more sugar than a glass of cola," reports one pupil.
Schools can book the workshops individually and also bring in their own topics. "Our Science Snacks are constantly being developed to meet the needs of schools," says Lara Sibum. The lab serves not only to impart knowledge, but also to orientate students and promote young talent. Pupils also have the opportunity to complete a work placement in the laboratories of the Faculty of Food and Nutrition Sciences and thus gain an early insight into studies in food or nutritional sciences.
Further information on the Food and Nutrition Lab and booking options can be found at:
https://www.hs-niederrhein.de/schulen-fb05/#c426545
