Congrats, Miss O! Saklan Science Teacher 1 of 30 Nationwide Picked for FDA Program

Saklan School science teacher Vickie Obenchain -- affectionately known by her students as Miss O -- was selected as one of only 30 educators from across the country to participate in the 2014 Food and Drug Administration Professional Development Program in Food Science held July 20 – 27 in Washington, D.C. 

This is not only a great honor for Miss O, but an honor for the Saklan School of Moraga to have such a nationally recognized science teacher on the faculty. 

The one-week program will provide hands-on activities that link food science and food safety to students’ everyday lives. 

Participants will learn also about nutrition, food allergies, cosmetics safety, and color additives from FDA experts; and receive nutrition material to help teach their students how to use the Nutrition Facts Label to make better food choices. Another goal of the program is to educate teachers about critical food safety issues. 

Participants will tour FDA laboratories and meet the scientists, explore food safety on the farm at government research sites, learn about the development and spread of food borne illnesses, and study the science associated with safe food handling, storage, and preparation.  A follow-up conference is included in the program. 

The FDA and the National Science Teachers Association initiated this workshop to implement a professional development program in Food Science that is consistent with the National Science Education Standards. 

On the completion of the course, Miss O will give professional development workshops to the Saklan faculty, and will also talk with parents at a PA Parent Workshop program in the fall, which will be open to the Lamorinda community.

Info provided by The Saklan School.