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A Bite of Future
Food, Sustainability & Innovation
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Target Group: 8 - 12 y.o.
Activity Duration: 120 min
Key Learning Goals:
- Sustainability: Understand where food comes from and innovative production methods (vertical farming, lab-grown meat).
- Future Thinking: Reflect on how future food production can address global challenges.
- Creativity: Imagine and design a healthy, sustainable menu for the year 2050.
- Collaboration: Work in teams to research and present ideas.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING:
- Explain why food is important for health and the planet.
- Describe different ways food is grown (traditional vs. high-tech).
- Recognize that some foods (like insects or algae) might be common in the future.
SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Research simple information about food technology.
- Communicate ideas by drawing and designing menus.
- Work collaboratively to share new concepts.
ATTITUDES & VALUES:
- Show curiosity about innovation.
- Think responsibly about food waste and the environment.
- Respect cultural diversity in food choices.
European Dimension / Erasmus+ Connection
- EU Values: Recognizing solidarity and sustainability as core European goals.
- Cultural Diversity: Respecting different food traditions while exploring new global solutions.
- Active Citizenship: Promoting environmental awareness and responsible consumption.
1. Resources and Tools
Research Sites (Teacher Guided):
- FAO & National Geographic: For info on sustainable agriculture.
- BBC Future - Food: Articles on new trends.
- Our World in Data: Statistics on food production.
Materials:
- Tablets/Computers for research.
- Art supplies (paper, colored pencils, markers) for menu design.
- Projector for sharing videos/images.
2. Working Methods
- Inquiry-Based Learning: Researching "strange" future foods.
- Design Thinking: Creating a menu for a specific future scenario.
- Group Discussion: Debating the pros and cons of new food technologies.
Activity Overview
| Phase |
Duration |
Activity |
Description |
| Activity 1 |
45 min |
Strange Food of the Future |
Research: Groups investigate topics like Vertical Farming, Insects, Lab-grown meat, and 3D printed food. Presentation of findings. |
| Activity 2 |
45 min |
My Futuristic Menu |
Creative Design: Teams design a "2050 Lunch Menu" that is healthy and sustainable. They draw the dishes and give them fun names. |
| Activity 3 |
30 min |
Reflection & Evaluation |
Presentation: Sharing menus with the class. Self-Evaluation: Filling out reflection forms. |
3. Introduction and Motivation
The Hook: Empty Supermarkets?
Discussion: "What did you eat yesterday? Where did it come from?"
The Challenge: "Imagine it is the year 2050. There are more people on Earth, but less land to grow crops. What will we eat?"
Visuals: Teacher shows images of "Strange Foods" (Cricket flour, Algae burgers, Vertical farms).
4. Research and Learning
Activity 1: Strange Food of the Future
Students work in small groups. Each group becomes an expert on one topic:
- Group A: Edible Insects (Protein power!).
- Group B: Vertical Farming (Growing plants in skyscrapers).
- Group C: Lab-Grown Meat (Meat without animals).
- Group D: 3D Printed Food (Custom shapes).
Task: Find 3 cool facts and 1 benefit for the planet. Share with the class.
5. Creative Application
Activity 2: My Futuristic Menu
Task: Design a restaurant menu for the year 2050.
Requirements:
- Must be healthy.
- Must use sustainable ingredients (e.g., "Algae Smoothie" instead of "Steak").
- Must look delicious! (Drawings/Collage).
Presentation: Teams present their menu to the "Food Critics" (the rest of the class).
6. Reflection and Evaluation
Activity 3: Final Reflection
- Self-Evaluation: Students complete the reflection form (Att 4.1.1).
- Discussion: "Which future food would you try? Which one would you never eat?"
- Teacher Rubric: Assessment of teamwork and creativity.