The University of Aberdeen will welcome a colourful addition to its campus today as the Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus stops by.
The Cooking Bus, which is a colourful kitchen on wheels which teaches cooking and healthy eating skills to teachers, student teachers and school pupils, will visit the School of Education from Tuesday, February 3 to Friday, February 6.
Local youngsters from Seaton, Kittybrewster, Bramble Brae, Glashieburn, St. Joseph’s, Riverbank, St. Peter’s, Muirfield, Sunnybank and Middleton Park Primary Schools will visit the campus on Wednesday and Thursday and learn how to cook simple healthy meals as well as essential food handling and preparation skills. Taking the classroom on board the bus means that the children get to enjoy a specially tailored class in a safe, well equipped kitchen – all the while whipping up a tasty meal.
It will also be an opportunity for teachers from Riverbank, Seaton, Forehill, Kingswells, St. Peter’s, Braehead, St. Joseph’s, Walker Road and Holy Family Primary Schools to undertake continuous professional development related to teaching diet and nutrition as well as student teachers as part of the MA (Honours) in Education/Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme.
Yvonne Dewhurst, a senior lecturer at the University’s School of Education, said: “I am delighted that the Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus is visiting the University of Aberdeen. It is a fantastic opportunity for local pupils to experience an interactive lesson in this unusual setting. I am sure they will all have a fantastic time on the bus while learning important lessons concerning healthy diet, hygiene issues and safety in the kitchen.
“The initiative will also enable teachers and student teachers to feel more confident in the delivery of practical cooking activities, underpinned by the important issue of healthy eating.”
Sarah McCoshim, Advisory Teacher on the Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus, added: “Many children have never cracked an egg or cut a tomato, The Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus provides pupils with a unique opportunity to take part in a ‘hands on’ practical cooking session (or activity). The Cooking Bus approaches the teaching of nutrition and healthy eating in accordance with the Curriculum for Excellence and sessions are designed to inspire young people to learn about the social importance of food in their diets, school and wider community. The majority of participants agree that the recipes are practical, do-able and economical and leave the Bus feeling empowered to try the recipes at home and appreciate the dietary value and economic sense of home cooking.”