Clark County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent collaborated with administrators and teachers at Baker Intermediate School to offer the Recipes for Life Program to 377 fifth-grade students in December 2022. Discussions between the counselors at Baker and the FCS Agent began in March when FCS agent approached the school about the collaboration. Counselors acknowledged the need for additional life skills opportunities and believed this program would help address that need.

Due to the amount of fifth graders in the school, it was decided that the students would be bused to the Extension office over three days to participate in the program. 22 volunteers worked with students in a hands-on educational setting to teach important life skills. 11 Beta club students from the high school also assisted with the kitchen activities (cooking, plating, washing dishes).  A pre-test/ post­test evaluation was conducted to determine learning outcomes. As a result of the program, every student indicated that they learned at least one new thing about cooking. Nearly 85% of the students felt that it was easy or very easy to cut up food with a knife.

In addition, as a result of attending the Recipe for Life program, 86% of students indicated they plan to increase their fruit and vegetable intake. One student ate her carrot zucchini muffin and said “there is NO WAY this has vegetables in it!” The volunteers and teachers reported that the students truly enjoyed the program and it was very valuable for teaching them hands-on skills they can carry with them through to adulthood.