Students at Thomas Clarkson Academy took a closer look at food production and healthy eating with trips to factories and a farm.

Over the week, which saw the pupils following a different curriculum as a part of their STEM studies, a group of Year seven students from the Wisbech school looked at every stage of the food we eat, from farm to table. 

The students first visited Westfield Farms where Manea farmer James Hawes showed students potato production, including storage methods and the science behind farming, including selective breeding and the importance industry backed biodiversity.  

The National Farmers Union also attended and provided stationery and stickers for the students. 

The students then visited the Waterbeach waste recycling site, operated by Amey, to learn how food waste and packaging is recycled and the importance of recycling. 

They were also able to see the computer-guided machinery sorting waste at the plant before travelling back to Wisbech so the group could have a visit to local packaging company Coveris. 

Here, students discovered the science behind food preservation and packaging.  

As well as having the opportunity to win a pair of cinema tickets in a challenge to design the best packaging.  

A trip to the Wisbech Morrisons store was also undertaken so the students could learn about food prices and budgeting. 

The group were also given a small amount of money while they were here so that they could buy fruit to later make their own fruit skewers. 

Director of STEM, Steve Tarsitano, said: “It was a great week and we all learnt a lot about our food and what happens to it.  

“By focusing on one area, we can illustrate how different subjects across the curriculum are linked.  

“Food and healthy eating allowed them to explore science, maths, engineering and technology within the subject heading and it worked really well.” 

The students were also given the chance to make their own spaghetti bolognese back at the academy.