IFT Student Association Activities
by Kelly Frederick
As future leaders of IFT and the food science and technology industry, the undergraduate and graduate students of the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) are an active and important part of every Annual Meeting & Food Expo®.
During the Annual Meeting & Food Expo®, there are many events geared toward students to assist them with networking and professional and technical development. Here’s a look at some of what is planned for this year.
Booth and Student Lounge
The IFTSA booth will be located in McCormick Place, Grand Concourse Lobby. Be sure to stop by, hang out, and pick up your schedule of student events. The student lounge will also be located in McCormick Place, room S106b. This is a great place to meet, mingle and lounge.
Mixer and Chapter of the Year Display
The Mixer, sponsored by PepsiCo, will be held from 5:30–6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 19, at the Hilton Chicago Hotel, Normandie Lounge. Meet and mingle with other students and professionals while viewing the Chapter of the Year displays, also sponsored by PepsiCo.
Welcome Assembly
The Welcome Assembly will be held Monday, July 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Chicago Hotel, Grand Ballroom, immediately following the Mixer. This event features an introduction of Student Association leaders; presentation of the Chapter of the Year, Most Improved Chapter, competition winners, and Excellence in Leadership Awards; and highlights of the Fun Run.
College Bowl Competition
This is no ordinary quiz! The College Bowl tests the knowledge of student teams from across the United States in the areas of food science and technology, history of foods and food processing, food law, and general IFT and food-related facts. The College Bowl facilitates interaction among students from different universities, encourages the accumulation and retention of knowledge, and … it’s fun!
The finals will take place on Monday evening, July 19, immediately following the Welcome Assembly in the Hilton Chicago Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.
2010 College Bowl Competition finalists have been decided:
• Central Atlantic Area: University of Delaware
• Midwest Area: Ohio State University
• Mountain West Area: Chapman University
• North Atlantic Area: Cornell University
• North Central Area: University of Wisconsin – Madison
• Pacific West Area: Washington State/University of Idaho
• Southeast Area: University of Georgia
• South Central Area: University of Arkansas
Undergraduate Research Paper Competition
If you have been participating in an independent research project, then the Undergraduate Research Competition is for you. The competition is open to any IFTSA undergraduate member who has participated in original research, and who has not graduated by July 1 of the year prior to the competition. Also, new and improved this year, the competition will feature both an oral and poster component.
These hybrid finals will take place on Sunday, July 18, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in McCormick Place, Room N427ab.
Professional Development Oral Sessions
These sessions (Sessions 300–307) are designed to give students experience presenting orally, as well as feedback to refine their presentation skills. Selected students will have the opportunity to present at eight professional development sessions that are scheduled for 4:30–5:35 p.m. on Sunday, July 18, and Monday, July 19, in McCormick Place. A panel of food science and technology professionals will act as judges and will provide written feedback to student presenters.
Student Competitions
Product Development Competition: Always a highlight of the IFT Student Association year and the Annual Meeting, the final judging of the Product Development Competition, sponsored by Mars, showcases the food scientists of tomorrow and their ability to apply the knowledge and skills learned in school to a real-world situation. Product development teams from participating universities each conceptualize a new food idea, then work to see that idea through the stages of production and marketing.
The oral finals will take place on Sunday, July 18, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in McCormick Place, Room S404abc. Product posters will be on display Monday, July 19, 8–11 a.m. in Hall A of McCormick Place. Check out Tuesday’s edition of IFT Live for a complete list of the winning teams!
The finalists are:
• Cornell University: Tamarangles
• Iowa State University: Yummelts
• Ohio State University: Coccobello
• Rutgers University: Ruggets
• University of Minnesota: GOODough
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute: Gluten-eze
Developing Solutions for Developing Countries Competition: Now in its second year, the Developing Solutions for Developing Countries competition, sponsored in part by General Mills, with additional support from McCormick, requires student teams to use scientific skills and innovative thinking to create products and/or processes that can improve the quality of life for people in developing nations. In the 2010 challenge, student teams were asked to “use food science and technology to provide sustainable, nutritious, and affordable food for families with small children.”
The finals will take place on Monday, July 19, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. in McCormick Place, Room S404abc. Check out Tuesday’s edition of IFTLive for a complete list of the winning teams!
The following teams are the finalists.
International
• Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia
• Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia
• Brawijaya University, Indonesia
Domestic
• North Carolina State University
• Pennsylvania State University
• University of Minnesota
Disney-IFTSA Product Development Competition: The IFT Student Association and Disney Consumer Products Inc. have challenged student members of IFT to address an important wellness need by creating healthy snacks for kids. The competition goal is to produce a market-relevant, delicious, and nutritious snack applicable to a retail food or beverage item that integrates a fruit or vegetable in a product targeted to children under the age of 12.
The finals will take place on Monday, July 19, 2–5 p.m. in McCormick Place in the Special Events Pavilion on the Expo Floor, Booth 6163. Check out Tuesday’s edition of IFTLive for a complete list of the winning teams!
The finalists are:
• Cornell University: Finding Nemo’s Pasta Pals
• University of Arkansas: Sackatouille
• University of California – Davis: Mickey’s Pocket Pies
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Snow White’s Apple Puffs
End-of-the-Meeting Party
Don’t miss the IFT Student Association Party on the evening of Tuesday, July 20. It will be an informal event that brings students together to network and have fun. This year the festivities will take place on the rooftop of Citizen Bar, 364 W. Erie … hope to see you there.
