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Food Justice: We Are What We EatIntegrated Thematic Unit

on Food SystemsZac Brown, Amanda Wolfe, Kristen Partridge,Kathleen Rodriguez, Cheryl Fletcher

Service-Learning ActionResearch Evaluation Plan

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2) Effectiveness of Action Research Plan to evaluate theService-Learning Curriculum

Problem: Consumers do not understand their situatedness within their food

system.

Hypothesis:Through the design and creation of the mural, wiki research

pages, recipe creation, oral narratives story book, and PSA's students from the

various disciplines will be able to explore and make connections between

food production, consumption and the effects on the environment. In making

the invisible visible these students begin a process of enlightening their

community through the farmers market exhibition about the

interconnectedness of the food system.

Experimental Design:

Students will present their final products at the exhibition, students will

reflect on their learning from the completion of the projects and contribute to

a collective definition of food justice, attendees of the exhibition will be

surveyed.

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Career/work connections:

* Developing skills of communication through group work and

development of Public Service Announcements* Collaborative Research Skills

* Empowerment Action Oriented

*Exploration of various career fields (Culinary arts, media and

technology, agriculture, biotechnology, conservation, marketing,

chemistry, nutrition, medical, health services)

Curriculum connections:

All lessons meet the CA state standards for each course

Project based learning fits within the inquiry based standards andaspirations of the school district

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Survey for AttendeesDid you speak with someone about recipes?If yes how likely are you to use one of these recipes andingredients from the farmers market?Did anything suprise you about the advertising tactics andtrends that were discussed in the Public ServiceAnnouncement? If so, what suprised you?How will the public service announcements affect your futurefood choices?Did you read any of the Wiki research pages? If so, what is yourunderstanding of the benefits and consequences of theindustrial food system/biotechnology in agriculture?Did you speak with any day laborers or read a narrative in thestory book? How would you describe the experience of farmersin our community? Who produces our food?How did your total experience at the farmers market exhibitionaffect the decisions you make about food?

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Overview of procposed activities/assessments.Are these doable in the time frame suggested? Are they are good match forthe curriculum and the standards they address?

Block schedule accomodates project-based assessment.There are multiple diagnostic and formative assessments

in each content area.e.g. Lab report for calorimetry, GMO foods realiadiscussion, poster jigsaw.

The projects and service learning will be the summativeassessments given in each content area.

e.g. Storybook with local farmers' narratives, muralwith visual representation of themes in all contentareas, wiki research project for GMO's and industrialagriculture.

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Example of a Formative AssessmentFood & Culture Discussion

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Example of a summative assessmentNarrative Picture Book

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Theme Strengths and Challenges

Strengths:Theme is cross-cultural and adaptable to anypopulation.Potential for long term health and community benefits.Social-justice oriented lessons and plans.Meets specific needs of the community and currentgeneration.

ChallengesThe unit does not include an assessment that utilizesquantitative analysis.

Gaps in the grade levels result in holes in thecurriculum. (e.g. biology and chemistry non-correlation).Project currently lacks a math component.

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Realistic?

Yes, however some disjunction between the grade levelsand subjects taught.

Cost Effective?

Yes, 10-15% of the proceeds generated at the farmer's marketwill pay for supplies needed for the next year

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Plan for dissemination of findings from the curriculum,at the school site and or larger community?

Online learning communitiesPodcastsReporting through school websitesCommunity workshops for feedback and future planning

Creation of website for providing downloadable lessonplans to other educatorsSynopsis of ITU success printed on the back ofpostcards that portrait the summative mural