Melani Duffrin has spent more than 25 years creating no-cost, evidence-based curricular materials to support teachers and faculty from preschool to higher education. This fall, the Northern Illinois University professor and registered dietitian was recognized by the White House for her extraordinary contributions to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
On Sept. 19, Duffrin and FoodMASTER team member David Holben (University of Mississippi) attended a White House celebration of the Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP) Year of Open Science Recognition Challenge winners. Other team members who were not in attendance include NIU Professor Henna Muzaffar, Virginia Stage (North Carolina State University) and Sarah Henes (University of Georgia).
“The visit to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building was an experience of a lifetime,” said Duffrin. “From the meeting in the historic Secretary of War’s reception room to the group photo on the Navy steps, recognition winners and federal agents had quality time to discuss the importance of open science for America’s future.”
Specifically, attendees and federal agency representatives gathered to discuss the opportunities, challenges and future directions for open science programs like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded FoodMASTER initiative.
“Leveling the playing field for research funding at emerging research and minority serving institutions is a strategic investment,” Duffrin said. “NIU and like institutions serve the populations that will supply our future scientific workforce.”
FoodMASTER began in 1999 when Duffrin and an elementary school teacher teamed up to develop open curricular materials for students in rural communities around a topic of special importance and relevance to us all: food. By using a common experience as a teaching tool, the collaborators sought to make mathematics and science education more accessible to a wide range of learners. The program has generated positive impacts in classrooms for thousands of educators and students and they plan to expand to other states through network and partnership efforts.
“Dr. Duffrin’s FoodMASTER initiative has made a significant impact on STEM education and she is very deserving of this recognition,” said College of Health and Human Sciences Dean Kelly Fiala. “We look forward to seeing her continued efforts in this important area.”
Plans are in place for the FoodMASTER team to speak to the NIH Biomedical Informatics Coordinating Committee in October, and other federal agency representatives shared forum information for continued discussions.
FoodMASTER is one of many open science programs housed at NIU. FoodMASTER has strategically partnered with the Center for P-20 Engagement Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) team to reach Illinois most vulnerable populations with the innovation of using hands-on food activities as tool for teach mathematics and science.
Learn more about FoodMASTER.
