Upon graduation, Kentucky high school students should understand basic communication and math skills, as well as be able to apply core concepts.  One of the requirements for fifth grade Students is to be able to apply their understanding of fractions. What better way to learn and understand communication, math, and apply them to basic cooking skills.  
     The McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service along with nine gifted and talented students from Clark Elementary School participated in a four-week Super Star Chef program. Along with learning to read, follow recipes, and the proper ways to measure ingredients the participants were able to show many improvements.
There was a 44% increase in youth choosing healthier snacks when offered and 44% increase in knowledge of safer food practices. 56% said they would ask someone to purchase low-fat milk while 67% said they would ask for vegetables to be within reach at home.

        Using their math skills in the kitchen students were able to use fractions to cut recipes in half or double them all while working together in small groups to apply what they had learned. One of the participants parents made the statement “I have had no problems getting my child up for school on the days he would be coming to the cooking class.” Using all of these standards they can now enjoy applying all they have learned about making nutritious meals even after high school ends.