Students from Irvine Christian Academy, ranging in ages from 4 to 18, along with their parents, visited the UC ANR South Coast REC to get a taste of the research being done at the Center.

Following a quick welcome and brief description of the REC and UC ANR System given by Tammy Majcherek, Michelle Harris, EFNEP Youth Program, assisted with introducing the proper way to wash hands and to prevent germs around surfaces where food may come in contact.

All of the youth had great fun with the interactive hand washing activity:

• (4) Students Apply Glo Germ, wash with wipes, gel, soap, water – with no additional instructions other than previously provided.
• Additional student asked to come up (The Inspector Germ), went with the group to assist with black light to inspect for ‘germs'
• Polled audience for most clean/dirty while others were washing.
• Line up the (4) up – audience announced their choice.
• Inspector Germ announced his findings:

Cleanest – Soap and Water; 2nd – Water; 3rd – Gel

4th – Wipes (kids got a kick out of how it just spread everything.)

The parents were amazed to see the amount of ‘germs' left when they inspected the kids' hands especially around the nail beds.

After a quick review, Tammy Majcherek talk to the group about tasting evaluations and why we do them pointing out how useful they are for new and unusual varieties that the public and/or growers are not familiar with.

Following the discussion about the importance of tastings, the students and their parents were invited to taste and evaluate (7) varieties of cherimoyas – focusing on taste, smell, appearance; and (4) varieties of clementine citrus varieties focusing on taste, appearance, ease of peel, and quantity of seeds.

The clementines were by far the most popular amongst the evaluators, each person did try the cherimoyas and while they may not be for everyone, there are now (27) more people that are more aware of this tropical delicacy.

With wonderful weather and the smell of citrus in the air, a great time was had by all.