The Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) hosted this week a new edition of the 'Cocinando con ciencia UPV' workshops. Through these workshops, which have been running for over a decade, the university aims to promote healthy eating among schoolchildren, with science and nutritional education at the forefront.
Approximately one hundred students from 5th and 6th grade of Primary School at CEIP El Crist de Meliana temporarily became young chefs. They had the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of fundamental concepts regarding the relationship between science and cooking, as well as the importance of a balanced diet, while preparing their own menu.
"Teaching to eat is teaching to grow," highlighted Purificación García Segovia, a researcher at the Instituto FoodUPV and professor at the ETSIAMN-UPV, one of the workshop coordinators. García Segovia emphasized the importance of teaching young people "what each food provides, how to cook it, and what is good and bad for their development" to ensure healthy growth.
The workshops featured collaboration from chefs at Valencia Club Cocina. The children prepared a menu inspired by the theme of National Nutrition Day. They created four dishes: a walnut salad with yogurt and beetroot cream; a 'coca de dacsa' with tuna and fresh vegetable relish; roasted chicken couscous with dried apricots and sultanas; and a skewer of garden melon with 'llavoretes' and honey. For each dish, they learned about the ingredients' characteristics, nutritional values, and history.
The director of CEIP El Crist de Meliana, Vicent Ros, explained that the workshops, initially planned for May 28th, were postponed due to an education strike. He thanked Puri García Segovia for her participation, noting her significance to the school, and recalled the inauguration of a mural honoring her in February. Ros highlighted the learning of "scientific secrets hidden in cooking" thanks to the workshop team.
The organization of the workshops was managed by the Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit (UCC+i)-Communication Area of the UPV, the ETSIAMN-UPV, and the Chair of Childhood and Adolescence of the UPV, with support from the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT).
