"Students Connect Science to Food" 

Time estimate:

5 periods of 45 minutes each.

 

Equipment needed:

Computer and printer (optional), access to the Internet, and MS PowerPoint or Windows PhotoStory software.

 

Objectives:

1.      SWBAT explore the scientific concepts (physical, chemical, or biological) behind a selected topic related to food. 

2.      SWBAT demonstrate his/her understanding of a selected topic related to food through the creation of a digital story that highlights his/her analysis and evaluation of the selected topic.

NJCCCS (abbreviated):

STANDARD 2.1:  Wellness:  All students will learn and apply health promotion concepts and skills to support a healthy, active lifestyle. 

 

STANDARD 5.2:  Science and Society:  All students will develop an understanding of how people of various cultures have contributed to the advancement of science and technology, and how major discoveries and events have advanced science and technology.

 

STANDARD 5.6:  Chemistry:  All students will gain an understanding of the structure and behavior of matter.

 

STANDARD 5.7:  Physics:  All students will gain an understanding of natural laws as they apply to motion, forces, and energy transformations. 

 

Procedure:

1.      Working in pairs, students will select a topic from the list below and perform extensive research focusing on the scientific concepts related to the topic.  Students may explore other topics IF discussed with the teacher and approved prior to the start of the project.  Students will document all resources used and create a “Works Cited” page. 

Suggested Topics:

The science behind McDonald’s french fries

How to slaughter animals for longer shelf life

Elements of food safety

Top 10 preservatives and how they work

Top 10 good foods gone bad

Making Campbell’s soup by the truckload

Making Hershey’s milk chocolate bars

Why the fuss over genetically-engineered food

Corn as alternative fuel

Drinking tea for long life

Process chemistry and the different tea types

Analyzing and evaluating bottled water

 

2.      Using MS PowerPoint or Windows PhotoStory, students will create a digital story that highlights “the science” behind their selected topic.  Students will use text, at least 5 photos, 1 video clip, or sound (voice overlay) to produce their story.  The digital story will be uploaded to the class’s website for viewing and evaluation by the teacher and their peers.  Peers may comment on the story via a blog established for this project.

 

Assessment:

The attached rubric addresses accuracy of content, elements of design, number of appropriate and relevant visual aids, sound, and coherency.  Extra credit will be given for “artistic flair!” 

 

Modifications/Accommodations:

Because students will work in pairs, the opportunity exists for a disabled student to partner with another student who complements his/her abilities/skills.  The project requires the use of technology to research the selected topic and to create the “product” of the project, thus allowing the disabled student multiple access points to the project.  Also, the project can be visual and auditory, suitable for the hard-of-hearing or visually-impaired student.