Here, you will find opportunities for students to explore food science as a career while engaging in authentic, hands-on experiences led by faculty in the Food Science and Technology Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Opportunities include summer camps, school visits to campus, and off-site activities.
THREE-DAY CAMPS
The STEM in Your Apple
Have you ever wondered what makes an apple more than just a snack? In this three-day camp, students will explore the journey of apples from harvest to final products. They will discover how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) play a key role in apple production, preservation, and product innovation. Join us at the Food Innovation Center for a fun, hands-on adventure into the science behind every bite!
Audience: 9th-12th Grade
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How the Cookie Crumbles
Have you ever wondered how simple wheat grains are transformed into delicious cookies—and how their journey impacts your health? In this three-day camp, students will follow wheat from farm to flour to the final treat, exploring every step in between. They will uncover the science of milling, product formulation, and ingredient interactions, experimenting with how different factors influence flavor, texture, and even provide nutritional benefits. Join us at the Food Innovation Center for a hands-on, sweet adventure into the science that makes cookies so tempting!
Audience: 9th-12th Grade
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Exploring Dairy Products the Milky Way
Did you know milk is the main ingredient for over 2,000 dairy products? In this three-day camp, students will trace milk’s journey from farm to table, discovering how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) transform milk into everyday favorites like cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. Join us at the Food Innovation Center for a hands-on exploration of the science behind dairy!
Audience: 9th-12th Grade
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ONE-DAY CAMPS
Bean to Bar: The Science of Chocolate
Did you know people have loved chocolate for over 5,000 years? The Olmecs and Mayans made chocolate drinks, and the Aztecs even used cocoa beans as money! But the first chocolate bar was not made until 1847—and chocolate has only gotten better since! In this camp, students will explore the science behind cocoa production, fermentation, and roasting and how cocoa beans are transformed into chocolate candies. Get ready to experiment, taste, and discover what makes chocolate so amazing!
Audience: 9th-12th Grade (Middle school students may apply after a certain date).
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Pizza, The Rise of the Dough!
Students will explore the journey of pizza dough from farm to table in this one-day camp. Through hands-on activities at the Food Innovation Center on the Nebraska Innovation Campus, they will discover the science behind every step of the process. Participants will make cheese, experiment with dough-rising techniques, and discuss the science behind tomato-based sauces. By the end of the camp, they will see how science transforms simple ingredients into a delicious final product!
Audience: 9th-12th Grade (Middle school students may apply after a certain date).
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The Science of Cookies
Have you ever thought about the chemistry behind your favorite cookie? In this one-day camp, students will explore the chemistry of baking and uncovering the secrets behind making the perfect cookie. Through hands-on activities, students will learn about key topics such as food chemistry, product development, and food processing. This camp offers a delicious and engaging way to see how science shapes every bite!
Audience: 9th-12th Grade (Middle school students may apply after a certain date).
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The Science of Ice Cream!
Students will scoop up science in this one-day camp! They will explore the exciting process of ice cream making through hands-on activities at the Food Innovation Center on the Nebraska Innovation Campus. Students will discover the incredible science that goes into making this delicious treat, perfect for those interested in chemistry, microbiology, and product development. Science has never tasted so cool!
Audience: 9th-12th Grade (Middle school students may apply after a certain date).
Learn More, Register Here