Feeding a Hungry Planet

As the world population grows, food security is threatened. It's not simply a matter of insufficient food for everyone; behind that issue lie complexities. There is inequality in food distribution among different countries, and within a single country, there are disparities among other people. The lesson poses the question: What will we eat in the future? It addresses challenges to our diets and anticipates changes. 

Throughout the unit, students delve into local and global food production and agriculture by tracking the creation of a pizza and a hamburger. They discuss the basics of nutrition, specifically focusing on micronutrients and proteins. The unit then shifts attention to the environmental challenges of meat production and explores cutting-edge technologies involved in creating cultured meat. Throughout, the unit encourages students to envision the future of food, emphasizing personal agency.

Unit Overview & Pacing Guide

Storyline

Standards

North Carolina

7.L.1 Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry out the basic functions of life.

• 7.L.1.1 Compare the structures and life functions of single-celled organisms that carry out all of the basic functions of life including:
  • Euglena
  • Amoeba
  • Paramecium
  • Volvox

• 7.L.1.2 Compare the structures and functions of plant and animal cells, including major organelles (cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and vacuoles).

• 7.L.1.3 Summarize the hierarchical organization of multi-cellular organisms from cells to tissues to organs to systems to organisms.

• 7.L.1.4 Summarize the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestion, respiration, reproduction, circulation, and excretion) and ways that these systems interact with each other to sustain life.

NGSS

LS1.A:  Structure and Function

• All living things are made up of cells, which is the smallest unit that can be said to be alive. An organism may consist of one single cell (unicellular) or many different numbers and types of cells (multicellular). (MS-LS1-1)

• Within cells, special structures are responsible for particular functions, and the cell membrane forms the boundary that controls what enters and leaves the cell. (MS-LS1-2)

• In multicellular organisms, the body is a system of multiple interacting subsystems. These subsystems are groups of cells that work together to form tissues and organs that are specialized for particular body functions. (MS-LS1-3)

📂 Complete List of Materials

Lesson Set 1

Teacher Materials

Teacher slides 1.1 What do we eat, and where does it come from

1.1 US food imports infographic

Teacher slides 1.2 How are we feeding the growing population

Student Materials

Student material: 1.1 Food and ingredients

Student material: 1.2 Crop production and population

Student material: 1.2 Crop production and population (Answer sheet)

Lesson Set 2

Teacher Materials

Teacher slides 2.1 Why do we need to eat

Teacher slides 2.2 What are macronutrients

Teacher slides 2.3 Which countries eat the most and least protein per capita

2.3 Global map of protein consumption answer key

2.3 support_Global map of protein consumption answer key

Student Materials

Student material: 2.1 Digestive system jigsaw activity

Student material: 2.1 Summary activity explanation

Student material: 2.2 Macronutrients and food

Student material: 2.2 Balanced and healthy diet

Student material: 2.3 Global map of protein consumption

Student material: 2.3 support Global map of protein consumption

Lesson Set 3

Teacher Materials: 

Teacher slides 3.1 How does a hamburger impact the environment

Student Materials: 

Student material: 3.1 Food waste diary

Student material: 3.1 For better choice

Lesson Set 4

Teacher Materials: 

Teacher slides 4.1 What are cells and tissues

Teacher slides 4.2 How is cultured meat produced

Student Materials: 

Student material: 4.1 Introduction to Cells

Student material: 4.1 Plant and Animal Cells Virtual Science Lab

Student material: 4.1 Reading Plant & Animal Cells

Student material: 4.1 Levels of Organization Sort

Student material: 4.2 Cultured & conventional meat

Student material: 4.2 NC and cultured meat

Lesson Set 5

Teacher Materials:

Teacher slides 5.2 How can our future diet be healthy and sustainable

Student Materials: 

Student material: 5.2 How could cultured meat affect our community reading

Student material: 5.2 Town Hall Meeting worksheet

Pedagogical Support