The Havelock North High School/Heinz Wattie's Link
Finished student product
The Wattie's/ Havelock North High School link was doubly inspired. The school's Technology department was searching for a Food Technologist to work with a Year 13 class. At the same time, Wattie's was concerned at the growing shortage of Food Technologists in New Zealand and was looking at ways to promote the career to students in schools. A mutually beneficial connection was made through the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST) and Futureintech.
In this link, Wattie's Product Development Manager, Sandra Chambers and Food Technologist, Rachel Johns acted as client and stakeholder for students in teacher Kate McLennan's Year 13 Food Technology class. The class was required to develop a product using excess fruit (plums and berries). They were required to follow the product development process to come up with a new product formulation. Students observed the technological process during an initial visit to the Wattie's factory. Sandra and Rachel visited the school at various times to talk with the students, and mentor them through the product development process. When the students had each developed a new product formulation, Sandra and Rachel selected the most suitable product to be made in the factory. This new jam product was then produced in the pilot plant by the whole class.
