My greatest challenge has been narrowing my scope!! As I have already stated in my prior blog, there are so many aspects that I want to incorporate into my classroom- and I’m struggling to decide what to make into a full lesson and what to incorporate or embed into a lesson that I already have. After much contemplation and consideration, I have decided that I want to write a series of lessons that mimic the process that is completed at a food manufacturing company like Wright Foods. My lessons will progress students throughout some of the various key aspects of manufacturing: collaborating with the customer to determine production goals, develop product formulation, conduct quality assurance testing, packaging and label design, and cost analysis. I currently have it organized where the previous list will be completed within a four lesson series (each lesson is multiple days). Students will have the opportunity to conduct their own research, apply mathematics and science skills and knowledge, develop their graphic design skills, finance skills, etc!! I also want students to develop a stronger understanding of how food is processed- not only present day, but the evolutionary progression. I plan to write a lesson that will be two-fold. First, students will research the history of food processing, packaging, and storing. This will provide students with the background necessary to better understand why food is processed and packaged the way it is today (understanding why there are several different ways in which to do this depending upon several factors), and to have a heightened appreciation for the state-of-the-art technological process that is used today in a manufacturing plant such as Wright Foods. Students will collaborate together to document the evolution of food processing and packaging via a timeline. Secondly, students will dig deeper into the science behind Aseptic and Hot-Fill processing and packaging by writing a literature review! This will be a wonderful opportunity for students to learn how to 1) efficiently and effectively read scientific papers 2)how to use correct internal citations and how to properly write a work cited page 3) how to organize references, information, and data 4) how to properly write a scientific literature review.

My greatest challenge remains ensuring that I provide enough details and instructions for any teacher to pick the lesson up, and go! With that being said, I am really looking forward to going to our July Professional Advancement Institute II in order to speak with others, collaborate, and receive feedback on what I have done thus far. I am also looking forward to bouncing ideas around with others and spring boarding off of others ideas!