07 July 2010
Over 1000 pupils, from schools throughout Northern Ireland visited Loughry Campus, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, Cookstown, as part of an innovative approach to supporting GCSE students studying Science and Home Economics and to develop their interest in food.
The ‘Feed Your Mind’ event is a one day fun filled programme, which utilises the extensive practical facilities unique to Loughry, to provide the students with an interesting and informative look at the use of science and technology in the Food Industry. The programme took the pupils through several demonstrations, including new product development, chocolate manufacture, hygiene monitoring, nutrition awareness and waste awareness, which illustrated how various scientific techniques, technologies and consumer issues have a major impact on the food we eat. This is the second year that Loughry have organised this event and once again it proved popular with schools with over 1000 pupils and teachers from over 40 schools attending the event.
The event was also an excellent opportunity for the pupils to hear about careers in the food industry and how courses at Loughry could provide them with further study in an exciting and rewarding area. The food industry is one of the largest employers in Northern Ireland and offers a wide range of career opportunities at various levels, with graduates starting salaries of up to £22,000, which certainly gave the pupils food for thought!
For further information about the courses at Loughry Campus freephone 0800 0284291 or visit this website or why not come along to our Open Day on August 26 between 3.00 pm and 8.00 pm and get a taste of campus life.
Sandra Witherspoon
Loughry Campus, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise
Sound advice for students
Amy Lewis, Leanne Cuddy, Nicole Graham, Victoria Buchanan and Jolene Farrell from Aughnacloy College and their Home Economics teacher Mrs Colbert received sound advice on careers in food from Senior Lecturer, Peter Simpson at Loughry Campus ‘Feed your Mind’ event.
Respiration tested at Loughry
Markethill High School student Jasmine McKenzie’s rate of respiration is put to the test by Chloe Herron under the watchful eye of Gail Rankin at the ‘Feed your Mind’ careers event held at Loughry Campus.
It’s all in the yeast!
Drumglass High School Year 11 students along with their Home Economics teacher Ms McCartney watch on as Patrick Kelly Food Technologist at Loughry Campus, CAFRE explains the importance of yeast in bread making.
The students were among over 1000 pupils that attended the ‘Feed your Mind’ event aimed at raising awareness of the variety and breadth of career opportunities within the food industry.
Choco-licious at Loughry Campus
Students Rebecca Reid, Jayne McGreedy and Kerri Sherlock Year 11 students from The High School, Ballynahinch along with their teacher Mrs Houston sample the delicious chocolate at the ‘Feed your Mind’ at Loughry Campus, Cookstown, with Food Technologist Pat McTeague.
Bacteria in action
Garvagh High School student Andrea Collins discovers surfaces are not as clean as they look at the ‘Feed your Mind’ event held at Loughry Campus, Cookstown with Edmund Slaine, Scientific Officer, CAFRE.
What’s in our food
Lisnaskea High School Year 11 students Samuel Egerton and Sarah Potts discover what’s in food at the nutrition stand at the ‘Feed your Mind’ event at Loughry Campus from Food Technology Lecturer Donna Lyons.
Testing your senses at Loughry
Conor McKillen, Year 11 student from St Paul’s College, Kilrea has his sense of taste tested by Hazel Boyd, Food Technologist at Loughry Campus.
It’s a weighty measure
Christine Gargan, a Year 11 student from St Joseph’s College, Belfast, learns the importance of accurate weight measuring at Loughry Campus, Cookstown under the watchful eye of Food Technologist, Patrick Kelly. St Joseph’s College was one of over 40 schools that attended a ‘Feed your Mind’ event at Loughry Campus, CAFRE, aimed at raising awareness of the excellent career opportunities within the food industry.
Is our food clean?
Hazelwood College student Dillon Desilo got an insight into the presence of bacteria – when he attended the ‘Feed your Mind’ event held at Loughry Campus, Cookstown with Cathy Chauhan.
Careering ahead at Loughry
Steven McKelvey and Gillian Bond students from Strabane Grammar School with their Science teacher Mr Haughey heard about the variety of careers in the food industry from Liz Simpson, Lecturer, CAFRE when they attended the ‘Feed your Mind’ event held at Loughry Campus, Cookstown.
Stepping ahead with CAFRE
Robyn Hastings is put to the test by Nicole Ferguson and Lauren McCabe from Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt and Frances Bateson, CAFRE, during the ‘Feed your Mind’ event held at Loughry Campus, Cookstown
Stepping into action at Loughry
Kevin Madden stepped out at Loughry Campus under the timer of Paul Brennan when their school St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School attended the ‘Feed your Mind’ event at Loughry Campus, Cookstown.
Cycling action
Year 11 student Damian Fox from Dean Maguirc College tests his respiration rate with Gail Rankin, during the ‘Feed your Mind’ event at Loughry Campus, Cookstown.
MAP in action
Year 11 Home Economics students Alicia Quinn and Maria Lynn from St Louis Grammar School Ballymena, discover the importance of packaging with Dominic Gallagher, Loughry Campus.
