Boba tea on the menu as hundreds of school pupils explore food science and engineering at Abertay University

Youngsters given taste of life as civil engineering and food science students during week of workshops

Two pupils from Kinross High School, one in a grey t-shirt and another in a pink hoody, smile as they create their own boba tea in one of the Abertay University food labs. They are stood over a clear food bowl producing the "bubbles" for the tea.

Youngsters brewed their own boba tea, and put their building skills to the test, as Abertay University’s engineering and food science teams welcomed schools from across Scotland.

Over 300 pupils from more than 20 schools visited campus for five days of hands-on workshops, organised by the Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences, which focused on engaging young people in engineering, the environment, food science, nutrition, wellbeing, and more.

In Abertay’s food labs, pupils were taught how to make their own boba tea using just a handful of ingredients, taste-tested the difference between full-fat and 0% fat yoghurts, and learned about the effects of energy drinks on the human body.

The experiments, which included tasting sessions in the state-of-the-art Consumer Experience Laboratory’s sensory booths, captured the imagination of youngsters interested in studying food science, nutrition, fitness and wellbeing.

Meanwhile, a series of practical demonstrations took place which introduced the school pupils to the worlds of engineering, environment, and sustainability.

The youngsters’ construction skills were put to the test through a series of workshops, crafting the likes of domes and balloon chairs during a week of fun, hands-on sessions.

Ehsan Jorat, a Reader in Geo-Environmental Engineering in Abertay’s Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences, said:

The initiative was very well received by pupils and teachers alike, who praised the variety and accessibility of the sessions. Staff from the Department of Built Environment and Life Sciences were particularly pleased with the enthusiasm shown by the schools and the genuine curiosity of pupils towards the themes explored. The positive response underscores the value of creating opportunities for young learners to connect with university expertise and degree options, and Abertay looks forward to strengthening these relationships through future outreach activities. The event provided pupils with the opportunity to engage in interactive activities and practical demonstrations that highlighted the relevance of engineering, environment, and sustainability to everyday life and global challenges. In doing so, it also introduced pupils to Abertay’s established pathways in these areas, including the BEng/MEng Civil and Environmental Engineering, BSc Engineering Management, and BSc Environmental Sustainability and Management programmes, which prepare graduates to address pressing societal and environmental challenges.

Jonathan Wilkin, a Reader in Food Innovation and Knowledge Exchange in the Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences, said:

When they arrived, pupils were given a full platter of experiences from across the food and drink manufacturing sector, nutritional science, and the fitness industry. It whetted their appetites, with many hungry for more information about the courses. The energy in the room was palpable – pupils were eager to roll up their sleeves, get stuck into the experiments, and for some, it really sparked a change in how they thought about food.

Find out more about the courses in the Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences.