Project FAQ - Food Factor
Questions about the Project? Email fllprojects@usfirst.org
Q: Is it ok to use a weapon (toy gun, knife, etc.) in our Project presentation if it is involved in the journey of our food or if we are planning a cooking demonstration?
A: Please do not bring weapons (even toy ones) to an FLL event. If your team feels that this is an important part of your Project presentation, please create something two (2) dimensional on a piece of cardboard or paper so that it could not be mistaken accidentally for the real thing. Food should probably be prepared before arriving, but if your tournament allows preparing food on site please only use plastic utensils in your presentation. It is important to FLL that everyone feel safe and welcome at FLL events, so please help us by not bringing anything that looks like a real weapon to a tournament or event.
A: Please do not bring weapons (even toy ones) to an FLL event. If your team feels that this is an important part of your Project presentation, please create something two (2) dimensional on a piece of cardboard or paper so that it could not be mistaken accidentally for the real thing. Food should probably be prepared before arriving, but if your tournament allows preparing food on site please only use plastic utensils in your presentation. It is important to FLL that everyone feel safe and welcome at FLL events, so please help us by not bringing anything that looks like a real weapon to a tournament or event.
Q: Do we need to prevent the contamination or spoiling problem, or is it ok to invent a better way to detect or recall bad food?
The idea for Food Factor is to solve a contamination or spoiling problem so that people do not get sick from eating bad food. If your team determines that the best way to solve the contamination or spoiling problem you found is to detect or recall the bad food after it happens (but before the food gets eaten), that is an acceptable solution.
The idea for Food Factor is to solve a contamination or spoiling problem so that people do not get sick from eating bad food. If your team determines that the best way to solve the contamination or spoiling problem you found is to detect or recall the bad food after it happens (but before the food gets eaten), that is an acceptable solution.
Q: Can we study health effects (like food-related obesity, diabetes, allergies, etc.)? These are kind of like contaminating our bodies.
No, we are not studying the healthiness of foods this season. Making good food choices is important for kids and adults alike, but it is not the same as food contamination or spoiling. Your team’s solution might also make your food healthier, but the primary focus should be on solving a contamination or spoiling problem that could affect the food.
No, we are not studying the healthiness of foods this season. Making good food choices is important for kids and adults alike, but it is not the same as food contamination or spoiling. Your team’s solution might also make your food healthier, but the primary focus should be on solving a contamination or spoiling problem that could affect the food.
Q: Can we study water safety for the Food Factor Project?
A: No, water safety is an important topic, but we are not studying water contamination problems for Food Factor. We are asking teams to focus on a food that you eat (see page 2 of the Project document for some food categories to consider) and select a contamination or spoiling problem that might make that food unsafe to eat. However, when studying your chosen food, teams may find that water is either an important ingredient or used in the processing or preparation of the food. It is acceptable to solve a water contamination problem in order to solve contamination or spoiling of your team's main food.
A: No, water safety is an important topic, but we are not studying water contamination problems for Food Factor. We are asking teams to focus on a food that you eat (see page 2 of the Project document for some food categories to consider) and select a contamination or spoiling problem that might make that food unsafe to eat. However, when studying your chosen food, teams may find that water is either an important ingredient or used in the processing or preparation of the food. It is acceptable to solve a water contamination problem in order to solve contamination or spoiling of your team's main food.
Q: Can the team choose liquids (like orange juice, coffee, or soda)?
A: Yes, as long as the liquid is not drinking water.
A: Yes, as long as the liquid is not drinking water.
Q: Do we need to choose a specific food to study or can we study a category of food (like all nuts or poultry)?
A: The judges at a tournament will be looking for your team to identify which specific food you studied. If your team is interested in a spoiling or contamination problem that affects a whole category of food, we recommend choosing a specific food within that category to focus on. You can still tell the judges about how your solution might also protect other foods within the larger category.
A: The judges at a tournament will be looking for your team to identify which specific food you studied. If your team is interested in a spoiling or contamination problem that affects a whole category of food, we recommend choosing a specific food within that category to focus on. You can still tell the judges about how your solution might also protect other foods within the larger category.
Q: The Project asks us to choose a food with fewer than 7 ingredients. Do we need to pick a food with ingredients or is it ok to choose something more simple?
A: Your team may choose something as simple as a single ingredient (like an apple or a walnut) or it may have multiple ingredients (like pasta or yogurt). If your food comes in a package, it probably lists all of the ingredients that were used to make that food. Simply count how many ingredients are listed. Once a food has more than 7 ingredients though, your team may have a difficult time learning about all of the ingredients in just 8 weeks.
A: Your team may choose something as simple as a single ingredient (like an apple or a walnut) or it may have multiple ingredients (like pasta or yogurt). If your food comes in a package, it probably lists all of the ingredients that were used to make that food. Simply count how many ingredients are listed. Once a food has more than 7 ingredients though, your team may have a difficult time learning about all of the ingredients in just 8 weeks.
Q: Are we required to choose a food we find in the home of one of our team members?
A: No, your team may choose a food you do not eat at home if you wish. We ask teams to start in their kitchens because this is a good way to start brainstorming. Just remember that your team will need to learn about all the steps your food took before being eaten. This may be more difficult if you choose a food that is unusual or one that you do not know how to prepare.
A: No, your team may choose a food you do not eat at home if you wish. We ask teams to start in their kitchens because this is a good way to start brainstorming. Just remember that your team will need to learn about all the steps your food took before being eaten. This may be more difficult if you choose a food that is unusual or one that you do not know how to prepare.
Q: Can we choose a pet food?
A: No, please focus on people food for Food Factor.
A: No, please focus on people food for Food Factor.
Q: What about food security?
A: Food insecurity is an important issue that faces many people around the world, and we are glad that FLL teams are thinking of ways to solve this problem. However, the Food Factor season is specifically focusing on contamination and spoiling problems that could make your food unsafe to eat. We are not addressing food security this season.
A: Food insecurity is an important issue that faces many people around the world, and we are glad that FLL teams are thinking of ways to solve this problem. However, the Food Factor season is specifically focusing on contamination and spoiling problems that could make your food unsafe to eat. We are not addressing food security this season.
