You can use any of the research reported here to give you ideas for your science fair project. You can also try to replicate (repeat) some of these studies on your own. You can set up small studies with friends, or do taste tests (with and without labels), or set out different kinds (or colors) of candy and see how much people eat. The goal should be to help make consumers wiser about what they do.

Can You Help with the Expenses?

To help students with some of the costs of their projects, we have established the Wansink Consumer Education Foundation to help with some expenses for science fairs and class projects. The Foundation offers small expense-related grants to elementary and secondary students who are conducting school-based projects aimed at helping make people smarter when it comes to food and to shopping choices. These grants are typically in the range of $25-75 and the projects are related to science fairs or nutrition-related school projects. Click here for more information.

What’s Consumer Camp?

The 2006 Consumer Camp will be held Appril 6–8 on the Cornell University Campus in Ithaca, NY. This provides a “hands-on” opportunity for people of all ages to learn how to be better consumers. A lot of local teachers bring their students. You can come for free and bring your students.

Are There College Scholars to Study Food Psychology?

The Consumer Education Foundation offers textbook scholarships to selected college-bound high school seniors who are interested in following a career focused on responsible consumer education. High school students who are “first generation” college-bound students or who are from rural areas are especially encouraged to apply. The application is based less on GPA than on a desire to help consumers. We especially welcome applications to students interested in attending a state-funded university or any one of the traditionally black colleges supported by the United Negro College Fund.

cardi logo and a e m logo and Cornell University