Virginia Stage and Colleagues: White House Champions of Open Science in Education

In the realm of education, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), accessibility and innovation are paramount. Recognizing this, the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy recently honored the FoodMASTER Initiative during the Open Science Recognition Challenge, earning the title of Champion of Open Science to Advance Education and its outstanding contributions to open science education. Virginia Stage from the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, has been part of this initiative since 2005. 

The Open Science Recognition Challenge, spearheaded by the Biden-Harris Administration, aims to celebrate endeavors that expand access to research for the betterment of both science and society. It invited researchers, community scientists, educators, innovators, and the broader public to showcase their efforts in leveraging the benefits of science and technology for the benefit of all Americans. At its core, the initiative seeks to promote open science principles, facilitate knowledge dissemination to wider audiences, and foster educational opportunities, particularly in STEM fields.

The origin of the FoodMASTER (Food, Mathematics, and Science Teaching Enhancement Resource) Initiative dates back to 1999 when an elementary teacher-university faculty partnership at Ohio University joined forces to develop open-curricular materials centered around a subject universally relevant to us all: food. Focusing on making mathematics and science education more accessible, FoodMASTER provides materials tailored for Grades 3-5, 6-8, high school, and higher education. The program was originally funded in 2005 to develop the Grades 3-5 curriculum through a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA). Since 2005, the team has received additional grant awards to expand program resources from NIH, USDA, and others.

Central to the FoodMASTER Initiative’s success is its emphasis on utilizing food as a tool to teach fundamental concepts in mathematics and science. By tapping into the universal appeal of food, the initiative enhances academic knowledge, fosters positive attitudes toward science, and promotes a deeper understanding of scientific research. Furthermore, through partnerships with teachers, outreach organizations, and stakeholders, FoodMASTER ensures that its resources reach diverse communities across the United States.

Stage joined the project early in her career as Associate Director and Co-Investigator. Over the years, she has led curriculum development, teacher professional development, evaluation, dissemination, and publication activities in collaboration with the program’s creator Melani W. Duffrin, Ph.D. Stage has extended the reach of FoodMASTER’s mission by creating the NC State Extension program Preschool Education in Applied Science (PEAS). This program, aimed at preschool educators, further underscores the commitment to open science principles by providing free access to valuable educational resources. Plans are also underway to integrate FoodMASTER resources (Grades 3-5) into NC State’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) program later this year.

The impact of FoodMASTER extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the next generation of scientific thinkers and equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world. With funding support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), FoodMASTER exemplifies how collaboration, innovation, and a dedication to open science can transform education and empower communities for years to come. 
In recognizing Virginia Stage and the entire FoodMASTER team, we acknowledge their accomplishments and the ongoing impact of open science on education, fostering empowerment across generations. To learn more about FoodMASTER sustaining 20 years of STEM outreach research and programming, please review this report from the National Institutes of Health.