Description:
This is a cook-ahead-of-time and a lab event. It is usually done as stations. Teams will prepare in advance a batch of cookies, create packaging, and prepare a notebook as outlined in the official rules. At the tournament, teams will answer questions and perform tests related to ingredient chemistry and related reactions, processing, changes due to temperature during processing related to cookie production. THIS IS AN IMPOUND EVENT

Materials:
Teams MUST bring a writing instrument, their cookies/packaging, and notebook. Participants MUST bring and wear vinyl or latex gloves, aprons or lab coats that cover the knee, pants or skirts that cover the legs to the ankles, closed-toed shoes and OSHA approved safety goggles. Teams may also bring one NON-programmable calculator.

Event Leaders will provide reagents, waste containers, samples, methods for tests, the official test and answer sheet, and a scoresheet for the impounded portion of the competition.

Scoring:
High score wins.. Scoring for each parameter is as follows:  Notebook: 30%; Package:15%;  Sample:15%  Event:40%

Common Mistakes:

• Teams that show up for the event without the proper safety apparel WILL NOT be allowed to compete. They may still receive a score for the impounded portion of the event, but cannot participate in the lab exercise. Safety concerns will not be arbitrated.

Recommendations:
For help with the following, see these websites.

• Food Labeling:
  http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/labels.html
  http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/ext/pubs/Ag-503/AG-503.html
  http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_98/21cfr101_98.html
  
• Conversion of weights and measures:
  http://www.onlineconversion.com
  
• Baking/Science:
  http://www.bakingandbakingscience.com/cookies.htm
  Understanding Baking by Joseph Mendola (Amazon.com used is inexpensive)
  http://www.joyofbaking.com/Butter.html
  
• Packaging:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_packaging
  http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/ext/pubs/Ag-503/AG-503.html
  
• Lab notebook:
  www.sciencebuddies.com/science-fair-projects/project-laboratory-notebook.pdf
  http://www.colorado.edu/MCDB/MCDB3140/notebooks.html

Notes from the State Event Leader:

• For schools with multiple teams, each team should have a different cookie and package and keep a notebook with tests run on their formulations.
• The packages will be scored on both aesthetics and information, including labels and placement, nutrition facts in the correct order, etc.
• The cookie judging form will score taste, appearance, aroma and texture as well as how well the cookie matches the intent of the team as outlined in their notebook.
• Unit conversions will be given if required at regionals, however not at state event.  Significant figures on package labels will not be required at regionals, but calculations on the event will require significant figures.  For this event, 420 grams would be 3 significant figures because the trailing zero is not extraneous.  If the balance gives a reading, all digits are significant.
• Teams will not need to adhere to significant figures for package nutrition information panels
• Notebooks may contain typed or printed material as well as hand-written, however if material is not attached securely to a page of the notebook, it will not be included in scoring.
• Ingredients may be purchased from any store, as long as they are made for consumption (food grade).
• You may alter as many or only one ingredient, however making several changes might make it difficult to distinguish the results of the ingredient changes in the discussion or charts/tables.
• Four trials may include the unaltered recipe if some physical variable is identified, such as the type of pan used, oven temperature, etc.
• The original recipe should include 1 tsp. of vanilla.
• Any recipe (formulation) may be used from the beginning.  The sugar cookie recipe was only a suggestion.
• On the day of the event, teams should impound: a) a package that should be able to hold 12 cookies; b) 5 or more cookies, which may be contained in the package or in a separate labeled container; and c) the team's notebook.

Event Resources:
2008 Coaches Institute Presentation (2009 rules)
2008 Coaches Institute Training Event (2009 rules)
2008 Coaches Institute Training Event Answer Form (2009 rules)
2008 Coaches Institute Training Event Answer Key (2009 rules)
2007 Coaches Institute Presentation (2008 rules)
2007 Food Science Coaches Training Event Example (2008 rules)
Food Science Site at N.C. State University for Science Olympiad

Sample Events:
Example Division B Event (Based on 2007 Rules, Not 2009 Rules)
Example Division C Event (Based on 2007 Rules, Not 2009 Rules)
Wright Center for Science Education Example Events

Photos and Video: