Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
Hyde Park, NY – The
Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world’s premier culinary college, and , a
not-for-profit founded by inventor Dean Kamen that
since 1989 has hosted a leading robotics competition for children and young
adults, today announced a strategic collaboration to promote the importance of
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in education. The CIA has 3,000
students enrolled in its gold-standard degree programs and an extensive that are leaders in the culinary world, and FIRST robotics competitions have
included participation from over 350,000 students, 130,000 volunteers, and more
than 3,500 sponsors, resulting in approximately 28,800 innovative robots
designed by pre-collegiate youth.
At the beginning of the year, FIRST founder Dean Kamen testified before Congress on the need to close the innovation
deficit by making hands-on learning programs in STEM accessible to all students
across the country, particularly those in underserved and rural communities,
many of which are heavily dependent on agriculture. To support those goals, the
purpose of the FIRST-CIA collaboration is to inspire young people to be leaders
by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science,
engineering and technology skills; that inspire innovation; and that foster
well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and
leadership.
“At first glance, the connection between STEM education and
the culinary arts may seem remote,” commented Dr. Don Bossi,
president of FIRST. “I was delighted to discover not only that FIRST and the
CIA have similar missions and values but also that chefs throughout the U.S.
have already been supporters of our youth robotics teams for years through
their donations or hosting of fundraisers at their restaurants. We are excited
to explore our synergies in cultivating young people’s passion for STEM through
a new dimension of food, flavor, and culinary discovery.”
“Chefs, as artists, entrepreneurs and community advocates,
are often early adopters of technology and well-positioned to help humanize the
potential of robotics in everyday life,” said Dr. Tim
Ryan, president of The Culinary Institute of America and newly elected
member of the Board of Directors of the National Restaurant Association. “I
look forward to deepening the CIA’s alliance with FIRST because whether it is
recipes or schematics, ingredients or components, both organizations are
committed to developing leaders that recognize the importance of teamwork
through the ideal of “Gracious Professionalism” and community service.”
Dr. Ryan added, “The CIA is committed to elevating the
culinary arts by increasing student understanding of science and technology as
well as student access to STEM resources, such as through CIA's Bachelor’s Degree Program
in Culinary Science. In addition, we are dedicated to increasing food-and-science
thought leadership through such initiatives as (in partnership with Harvard School of Public Health), (in partnership with Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also a
ąó±ő¸éł§°Ő® partner), and the Health Flavors Research Initiative as well as (in partnership with the University of California-Davis). We look forward to
being at the FIRST Championship in St. Louis, MO from April 23 to 26, 2014 and
much more beyond that!”
About ąó±ő¸éł§°Ő®
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For
Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an
appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based
in Manchester, NH, FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build
self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to
pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With
support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $19 million in
college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics
Competition (FRC®) for students in Grades 9–12; FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC®) for
Grades 7–12; FIRST LEGO® League (FLL®) for Grades 4–8; and Junior FIRST LEGO
League (Jr.FLL®) for Grades K–3. Gracious
Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work,
emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To
learn more about FIRST, please visit .
About The Culinary Institute of America
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent,
not-for-profit college offering associate and bachelor's degrees with majors in
culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and culinary science, as well as
certificate programs in culinary arts and wine and beverage studies. As the
world's premier culinary college, the CIA provides thought leadership in the
areas of professional excellence & innovation, health & wellness,
sustainability, and world cuisines & cultures through research, conferences
and other initiatives.
The college's new Culinary Science Lab includes a
professional kitchen with precision temperature cooking equipment and other
cutting-edge cooking tools; analytical lab with centrifuge, rotary evaporator, vacuum
desiccator, incubator, and more used to conduct scientific experiments; sensory
evaluation room; and lecture hall. Students use this state-of-the-art facility
in courses that involve the application of new technologies, biology, physics,
chemistry, sensory evaluation techniques, food microbiology and fermentation,
and the cultural and social aspects of food and feeding.
The CIA has a network of 46,000 alumni that includes
industry leaders such as Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Roy Choi, Cat Cora, Dan Coudreaut,
Steve Ells, Charlie Palmer, and Roy
Yamaguchi. The CIA also offers courses for professionals and enthusiasts, as
well as consulting services in support of innovation for the foodservice and
hospitality industry. The college has campuses in Hyde Park, NY; St. Helena,
CA; San Antonio, TX; and Singapore.
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