Seminar with Vickie Kloeris
On April 8, 2021, Phi Tau Sigma was honored to host Vickie Kloeris, MS, CFS, as a seminar speaker for the Penn State Food Science Department. Ms. Kloeris worked for NASA for over 34 years, where her last position was the manager of the International Space Station Food System. In 2019, she received NASA’s highest award, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. During her seminar, Ms. Kloeris discussed the history of space food systems and how the packaging, food choice, preservation methods, and food waste management have changed and developed over the years. She reviewed the drastic changes the space food systems faced when scaling from short term shuttle flights to extended stays on space stations. Finally, she explored the vast challenges that a manned mission to Mars would face in terms of shelf life, nutrient content, menu fatigue, resupply opportunities, and volume and mass restrictions. Phi Tau Sigma and the Penn State Food Science Department would like to sincerely thank Ms. Kloeris for her fascinating and engaging seminar, as well as staying for a virtual meet and greet and answering questions. Ms. Kloeris’ talk was simply out of this world!
Induction Ceremony
On March 25, 2021, members of Penn State’s chapter of Phi Tau Sigma were officially inducted into the honor society. Chapter President Jennifer G. read a history of Phi Tau Sigma, beginning with the organization’s founding at the University of Massachusetts in 1953 and ending with the establishment of the Penn State chapter. Vice President Tara P. and Secretary Laura R. also participated in the ceremony, stating the aims of the honor society and concurring that the members present were worthy of induction. The ceremony was conducted via Zoom, but official certificates and pins were passed out ahead of time so that members could pin themselves once officially inducted. Congratulations to the new members of Phi Tau Sigma!
Illustrator Design Workshop
On March 13, 2021, Phi Tau Sigma hosted an Adobe Illustrator Design Workshop. This workshop was led by Penn State Food Science alumnus Dr. Weslie Khoo. Dr. Khoo, who has won awards for his poster designs at academic conferences, led Phi Tau Sigma members through the basic tools of Adobe Illustrator, as well as more advanced image design. Dr. Khoo also provided members of Phi Tau Sigma with a “cheat sheet” of different keyboard shortcuts for Adobe Illustrator. Phi Tau Sigma would like to thank Dr. Khoo for generously sharing his time and knowledge with us!
This was the second workshop of Phi Tau Sigma’s Virtual Communications Series, hosted to help students prepare for Phi Tau Sigma’s Spring Symposium, Food Science in Action, a one-day event on April 23, 2021 featuring speakers, panels, and a poster session.
Abstract Workshop
Phi Tau Sigma hosted its first event of the Spring Semester – Abstract Visualization. The workshop featured a keynote panel with Dr. Helene Hopfer and Dr. Josephine Wee, facilitated by Alden R, followed by a breakout discussion where students brainstormed abstract ideas and peer-reviewed abstract drafts. Dr. Wee and Dr. Hopfer shared a number of resources, which were noted in the post-workshop survey as really useful. Check them out in Resources.
This was the first workshop of Phi Tau Sigma’s Virtual Communications Series, hosted to help students prepare for Phi Tau Sigma’s Spring Symposium, Food Science in Action, a one-day event on April 23, 2021 featuring speakers, panels, and a poster session on.
PSU Food Science Buddy Program
Penn State News has recently featured the Food Science Buddy Program: https://news.psu.edu/story/638970/2020/11/12/campus-life/food-science-launches-virtual-buddy-program-support-student
Started in Fall 2020 by Penn State’s chapter of Phi Tau Sigma and the Food Science Club, the Food Science Buddy Program’s goal is to foster mentorships between graduate and undergraduate students within the department. A big thank you to Laura R. and Dr. Josephine Wee for pioneering this program!
PSU Food Science Alumni Industry Career Panel
On November 10, 2020, the Penn State chapter of Phi Tau Sigma hosted a Food Science Alumni Industry Career Panel. Four alumni of Penn State’s Food Science graduate program generously agreed to participate on the panel and answer questions from graduate and undergraduate students regarding the transition from graduate school to the food science industry, the advantages of having a graduate degree, and what an career in industry looks like on a day to day basis.
Phi Tau Sigma would like to thank Dr. Joy Dubost, Dr. Gal Krietman, Dr. Donna Miller, and Dr. Marlena Sheridan for sharing their time and knowledge with the Penn State Food Science department. Thanks to Jennifer G. for moderating the discussion, Tara P. for moderating the chat, and Magdalena N. for organizing the event. We are!
Halloween Trivia 2020
On October 30, 2020, the Penn State chapter of Phi Tau Sigma hosted a Halloween Trivia night as a fundraiser. Faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students were invited to form teams and participate in three rounds of food science trivia, led by Alden R.
The winning trivia team won a candy prize, but additional prizes were also given out for Spookiest Costume, Funniest Costume, Best Group Costume, and Best Overall Costume, as well as Spookiest Zoom Background, Funniest Zoom Background, and Best Overall Zoom Background. A major thank you to Alden R. for hosting, and for Laura R. and Tara P. for grading the answers!
Interview Workshop
On October 20, 2020, the Penn State chapter of Phi Tau Sigma hosted an Interview Workshop. The workshop was open to the entire Food Science Department.
Phi Tau Sigma member Daphne W. began the workshop by playing videos regarding interview questions and tips, such as body language, the STAR technique, and how to answer, “Tell me about yourself.” She then led a larger discussion about the points raised in these videos before splitting the group into breakout rooms with a list of questions to conduct a mock interview. After the mock interviews, Daphne led a final group discussion about how to answer trickier interview questions, such as, “What is your greatest weakness?” and, “Tell me about a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at your work or school?” Phi Tau Sigma would like to thank Daphne W. for taking the time to organize and lead this workshop!
Student Leadership Practices Inventory Workshop
On September 25, 2020, the Penn State chapter of Phi Tau Sigma hosted a Student Leadership Practices Inventory workshop for its members.
The members of PTS were first invited to fill out a leadership survey. Dawn Savage, Program Coordinator for Student Engagement Programs, and Matt Stumpf, Director of Advising for Agricultural Sciences, then discussed the five practices of leadership and how to implement them in various situations. The Penn State chapter of Phi Tau Sigma would like to thank Dawn and Matt for their time in making this workshop a success!