How Wheat Works, an interactive, online multimedia program that aims to educate users about the wheat-growing process and wheat products’ nutritional value, has been launched by the Wheat Foods Council. Available at http://www.howwheatworks.com/,  the tool allows participants of all ages to virtually grow, harvest and mill their own kernels to create their desired wheat food.

Each of the program’s four phases – growth, harvest, milling/baking and the grocer’s aisle – takes just a few minutes to complete, while the program spans the course of four days.

Interactive opportunities include the selection of the type of wheat to be grown and wheat flour to be milled, based on the participant’s preferred wheat food creation. The program itself incorporates 3-D animation, still photography, video and factual information. The end of each phase includes activity suggestions that will help participants extend the learning experience by preparing wheat-based recipes, exploring wheat grown in their area and viewing harvest videos from America’s Heartland, a public television show about American agriculture.

For each participant who completes a quiz at the end of the program, the council and council members ADM and ConAgra will donate 2 lbs. of flour to Operation Homefront, a non-profit that provides assistance to needy U.S. troops and their families. The council is also offering educational guides at its Web site, http://www.wheatfoods.org/ to help group leaders and educators use How Wheat Works with their organizations and classrooms. Activity ideas utilize program content and resources from the council’s extensive library as well as member and partner materials.