NDSU personnel recently visited Ben Franklin Middle School in Fargo to give a hands-on food science lesson to sixth graders. 

Senay Simsek, professor of plant sciences, along with research specialists Kristin Whitney and Nathan Haugrud and graduate students Jane Snelling and Aslihan Unuvar were welcomed to a class taught by Travis Hoeg. They discussed the science of taste and how different ingredients are used in food applications. 

Simsek and Whitney demonstrated a reaction that occurs when two food additive ingredients are mixed together, transforming them into a gel-like substance. Haugrud, Unuvar and Snelling conducted an experiment about density using sugar-free and regular soda drinks. They also presented a taste test of candy that highlighted the importance of the sense of smell. 

“It was awesome to see my students so excited and to hear the oohs and aahs come out of their mouths with the fascination that the food scientists brought out in them,” Hoeg said, noting his students got to see real scientists at work.

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