Food Science Club
at Virginia Tech
IFTSA College Bowl Southeast Regional Competition
Athens, Georgia
Since 1985, the IFTSA College Bowl Competition has tested the knowledge of student teams from across the United States in the areas of food science and technology, history of foods and food processing, food law, and general IFT/food-related trivia. One team is selected in regional competitions to compete in the finals at the IFT annual meeting. All finalists receive a $1000 travel grant. The national champion earns a $1000 award, and the runner-up a $750 award.
The College Bowl competitions match two teams of four students against each other. A moderator asks questions to one or both teams, from a wide variety of food science topics. Points are awarded or subtracted for correct or incorrect answers. The highest scoring team then competes against another team. Generally, about six teams meet in a competition. Team competition winners are eligible to represent the region at the national competition.
Teams are composed of two graduate students and two undergraduate students. A fifth student (graduate or undergraduate) usually is included as an alternate. To prepare for the competition, students need to get together on a regular basis to develop and answer pratice questions on food science and technology topics. Dr. Rob Williams will coordinate these practice meetings (1 - 2 hours per week) as soon as the fall semester starts.
Anyone interested in the competition must be a member of the VT Food Science Club and the IFT Student Association.
Please contact Lynn Ann Robertson if you are interested in being on the 2008-2009 College Bowl Team.