Food Science and Biotechnology Day attended by 90 area high school students
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (April 16, 2015)—Kirkwood’s Workplace Learning Connection teamed up with six area employers to educate students about career fields during the third annual Food Science and Biotechnology Day held on Wednesday, April 1.
Juniors and seniors from Alburnett, Center Point-Urbana, Kennedy, Mount Vernon, Solon, Vinton-Shellsburg and Washington high schools received a behind the scenes look at the food science and biotechnology industries. Each student had the opportunity to tour two of six participating companies which included: Diamond V, Dupont Industrial Biosciences, JRS Pharma, General Mills, Quaker Oats and Red Star Yeast Company.
Joan Stekl, Family and Consumer Science teacher at Cedar Rapids Washington High School, said, “We will be able to make references to this experience to things we do in our classroom and/or that will relate to their future career. As a teacher, I also made contacts with persons who can help me include more science and math in my curriculum.”
According to Kim Becicka, vice president of Kirkwood Continuing Education & Training Services, “This is a perfect example of how we are working with area business and industry to make sure education and training coincide with current and future job fields. As a member of the Creative Corridor, we want to train people in our seven county area and increase the chances that they’ll find jobs here.”