Illinois Tech Elevate College Prep: New Food Process Design and Validation

This summer program will give students an opportunity to learn about new food processing technologies, develop processes for food products, and understand how to validate those processes. 

• Students will:Understand the basic principles of thermal and non-thermal food processing technologies
• Apply basic principles of food packaging, process and product parameters, sensory and quality analysis, and project management to a new sample food product 

Learning Objectives: 

On completing the program, students will be able to:

• Understand the basic principles of thermal and non-thermal food processing technologies
• Apply basic principles of food packaging, process and product parameters, sensory and quality analysis, and project management to a new sample food product 

Example Activities:

• Develop a blanching process for green produce
• Create a new fruit juice product using different pasteurization strategies
• Extend the shelf life of a packaged product using a new process
• Process a packaged product and then examine its shelf life

Cost: $595; $100 deposit due at time of registration

Date and Time: June 19–23 (Monday-Friday), 9 a.m.–5 p.m. CST

Applications are viewed on a rolling basis, and seats in the program are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Location: Mies Campus

Eligibility: Rising ninth–12th graders (ages 14–17); completed chemistry and physics courses