Portlethen Academy pupils are being served up science with a difference through an eight-week project that takes them from cocoa harvesting to creating and marketing their own chocolate bars.
The project, which has just been completed by the first cohort of pupils, is the brainchild of teacher Emma Livesey. It is supported by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) North East, a Scottish Government programme that connects education with industry to prepare and inspire young people about the world of work.
Over the course of the project, the S2 pupils learned how cocoa is harvested and the importance of Fairtrade programmes for the cocoa industry. They went on to research how they could produce their own chocolate bars, gaining knowledge about the chemical properties of chocolate through laboratory work. A session from Lily-Anna Barclay, Marketing Executive from ingredient manufacturer Macphie, introduced pupils to branding, packaging and promotion – key elements of product development and marketing.
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Emma Livesey, Teacher of Chemistry and Science, Portlethen Academy said: “The pupils really took to the project. They were initially surprised that we weren’t jumping immediately into lab work, however I believe they engaged more fully with the lab sessions when these became part of the wider process of researching, producing and marketing a chocolate bar. This approach also allowed them to develop important skills for working life, such as creativity, problem-solving, communication and teamwork.”
Alexis Malcolmson, Employer School Coordinator, DYW North East said: “This project is an excellent example of education and industry working together to bring the curriculum to life for young people. As well as providing the pupils with insights into different roles in the food and drink industry, the involvement of Macphie helped them see that these types of jobs and employers exist right here on their doorstep.”
The school is rerunning the project across additional S2 classes and plans to repeat it in future years, ideally in tandem with industry partners. Contact DYW North East on [email protected] to get involved.
