FoodMASTER: Impacting K-12 Learning Environments — Phase II

Posted on November 30, 2015, updated on August 21, 2018

Project Website(s)

  • Project Description

    This project will collect research on the impact of SEPA-funded multimedia FoodMASTER materials promoting science education along with collecting information about the logistics of the best way to disseminate materials such as these in the K-12 systems. The FoodMASTER initiative is a compilation of programs aimed at using food as a tool to teach basic research methods including science and math concepts to K-12 students. The project is intended to demonstrate that K-12 students engaged in hands-on inquiry-based learning activities using food as a tool to teach basic scientific research concepts are better prepared to demonstrate and apply scientific knowledge and understand clinical and basic research to extend healthy life.

  • Abstract

    This educational research proposal is a Phase II request for a two-year project to seamlessly transition into a dissemination plan to continue to collect research on the impact of the multimedia and curricular materials developed in Phase I promoting science education. Information about the logistics of the best way to disseminate materials such as these in the K-12 systems will also be collected. The Food Math and Science Teaching Enhancement Resource (FoodMASTER) initiative is an approach to science learning environments that incorporates basic research. The FoodMASTER programs are aimed at using food as a tool to teach basic research methods including science and math concepts to K-12 students. The Phase I project aimed at impacting science-learning environments by creating curricula and implementing programming that provided baseline data about how the FoodMASTER approach can prepare young children to understand the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of knowledge to extend healthy life all within a context of a basic research environment. Food was chosen as a teaching tool because students encounter food on a daily basis; therefore they have pre-existing contextual experience to create relevance for learning new science material and research methods. Additionally food as a teaching tool is conducive to hands-on inquiry-based lessons and allows for an interdisciplinary approach to learning microbiology chemistry biology nutrition and health science along with math and other science-related subjects. The proposed Phase II research project focuses on dissemination with several levels of evaluation built into the process. The project has a twofold approach. First the FoodMASTER materials will be disseminated statewide in Ohio and North Carolina with methodology replicated from Phase I. Second the newly developed multimedia materials developed in Phase I will be disseminated nationwide to appeal to intermediate grade (grades 3-5) audiences. The knowledge and skill development that can be inspired by this approach is limitless. Measurement and tools data collection application and generalizing classifying and organization comparative analysis interpretation of data chemical and physical change functions of ingredients controlling variables critical thinking self-directed learning and team building are just a few of the potential knowledge and skill development areas for K-12 students using this method.

Associated SEPA Project(s)