Why teach food and nutrition at the K-12 level?
1) Societal Need/Early Career Decision Making
The demand for graduates with degrees in food science or nutrition/dietetics is growing (Agricultural and Food Scientists, 2008; Dietitians and Nutritionists, 2008). Food Scientists are needed nationally and subsequently, the opportunities for food science majors with B.S. degrees are strong and we see high job placement of our students upon graduation. Due to the aging and increasingly health conscious population, the job market for highly trained dietitians is, and will also continue to be strong. Our dietetics students are highly sought after for clinical internships leading to their credentialing as Registered Dietitians by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Career exploration and decision making is a lifelong process and that students begin making career decisions early (Starr and Gysbers, 1992 as cited in O'Brien, et al., 1999). In a society that needs food scientists and nutritionists/dietitians, it is important for students to have exposure to these areas early.
The demand for graduates with degrees in food science or nutrition/dietetics is growing (Agricultural and Food Scientists, 2008; Dietitians and Nutritionists, 2008). Food Scientists are needed nationally and subsequently, the opportunities for food science majors with B.S. degrees are strong and we see high job placement of our students upon graduation. Due to the aging and increasingly health conscious population, the job market for highly trained dietitians is, and will also continue to be strong. Our dietetics students are highly sought after for clinical internships leading to their credentialing as Registered Dietitians by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Career exploration and decision making is a lifelong process and that students begin making career decisions early (Starr and Gysbers, 1992 as cited in O'Brien, et al., 1999). In a society that needs food scientists and nutritionists/dietitians, it is important for students to have exposure to these areas early.
- Starr, M and Gysbers, M.C. as cited in O'Brien, K.M., Dukstein, R.D., Jackson, S.L., Tomlinson, M.J., Kamatuka, N.A., (1999). Broadening career horizons for students in at risk environments. The career development quarterly, 47, 215-229.
- Agricultural and Food Scientists.Retrieved November 19, 2008 from Occupational Outlook Handbook website: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos046.htm
- Dietitians and Nutritionists. Retrieved November 19, 2008 from Occupational Outlook Handbook website: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos077.htm
2) To improve the overall health of the students and support Team Nutrition:
Pick up any newspaper or listen to any newscast today and a story about the growing obesity rate in America will likely grace a headline. It is no secret that increased education about nutrition and food issues is essential for improving the overall health of our society. Healthy food selection and preparation habits begin early which is why the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched the Team Nutrition program in schools and the community. Learn more about the Team Nutrition program, which was designed in 1995 to enhance nutrition education. One Team Nutrition communication outlet is through classroom activities and thus provides good reason for K-12 educators to incorporate food and nutrition lessons into their curriculum.
3) To contribute to the Iowa Department of Education Science Standards (and other multidisciplinary learning outcomes):
Food science and Nutrition is SCIENCE. Iowa Department of Education Science Core Content Standards and Benchmarks specify that students should achieve an understanding of the biological/life sciences and apply scientific inquiry at every level of K-12 education, both of which can be taught through the applied fields of nutrition and food science. Additionally, Food Science incorporates physical sciences such as chemistry and physics. Teach biological science through the frame work of how students' food intake impacts their bodies or teach the basic chemistry of why certain food ingredients interact and expose students to the wide range of applicability their science education can have on their everyday lives while still meeting required science education benchmarks.
Non-science educators can keep in mind that Food Science, Nutrition, & Dietetics are multi-disciplinary fields and therefore can be taught through math, health, social studies, language arts, and reading lessons as well as science. Especially in younger grades, students' exposure to food and nutrition can be through reading a book about food and writing about food in their lives or doing a math problem about food. As students get older, they can learn about the culture of different foods around the world, taking control of their own food and nutritional intake, or about obesity in America.
4) Resources:
There are many technology resources available to help K-12 instructors incorporate lessons about food and nutrition into their curriculum. The Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at Iowa State University has compiled some of the many web resources available to educators. Please take a few minutes to visit some of the websites provided and also take some time to explore the links under the K-8 and High School Students sections to see what resources are geared toward students.
For additional questions and/or assistance incorporating food science and nutrition lessons into your curriculum, please contact Sarah Bender Miller, M.Ed. (Academic Advisor, smbender@iastate.edu, 515-294-2553) who can connect you to an appropriate resource.
To set up a visit for your class(es) to the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department please also contact, Sarah Bender Miller, M.Ed. (Academic Advisor, smbender@iastate.edu, 515-294-2553).
Visit opportunities:
- Tour the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department Food Laboratories at Iowa State University and learn about what students in this department study and their career opportunities.
- Arrange to have a faculty or staff member teach students a food science or nutrition lesson at Iowa State University or at your school (Please note: faculty/staff visits to locations away from Iowa State University are at the discretion and availability of the presenting faculty/staff member. Additionally, lessons at Iowa State University will generally be arranged for middle or high school students in groups of 10 or more. Smaller groups are encouraged to collaborate with other area schools or educational organizations).
- Request participation of the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department in your career days or career fairs.
- Encourage interested students to attend FS HN DAY at Iowa State University!
- Other requests! The Food Science and Human Nutrition Department is willing and excited to work with future Food Scientists, Nutritionists, and Dietitians. Please contact us with your ideas and we will be happy to work with you!
Links for K-8th graders
Links for High School Students
Educator Resources- The following websites are not necessarily endorsed by the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at Iowa State University. These are simply a collection of resources available on the internet. All documents and lesson plans on external sites should be checked for validity and applicability prior to implementation in the classroom.
Food Science
Food Science Teacher Resources - a comprehensive list of web resources including many science lesson plans
IFT Discovery Education - food science site
Scientific American Frontiers: Smarter Food Processing Techniques Lesson Plans (archived-based on the PBS special)
Teaching Resources and Lesson Plans- additional links
Nutrition
Team Nutrition/Nutrition Education Database and Resources (National Agriculture Library)
Nutrition Lesson Plans (Kennesaw State University)
Lesson: Fast Fats: A Nutrition Analysis of Americans Obsession with Fast Food (PBS)
Texas Department of State Health Services Nutrition Lesson Plans
Scientific American Frontiers: Losing It Lesson Plans (archived-based on the PBS special)
Scientific American Frontiers: All You Can Eat Lesson Plans (archived-based on the PBS special)
Scientific American Frontiers: Fat & Happy Lesson Plans (based on the PBS special)
Teaching Resources and Lesson Plans- additional links
Food Safety
Food Safety Educational Resources - Iowa State University Extension lesson plans & videos Food Hygiene Mission Control Teacher Resources- out of this world games for ages 7 through 14
Health & Fitness
American Heart Association- worksheets & songs for grades K-8
Food Groups
Grains
Kansas Wheat Educational Materials
North Dakota Wheat Commission- stories & activities for students
Iowa Corn- fun for kids
Meat & Protein
Iowa Beef Industry Council- resources for teachers
Virginia Carolina Peanuts Educational Site- lesson plans for immediate download
The American Egg Board-Consumer Food Professionals site
Dairy
Milk Matters- classroom activities
National Dairy Council -tools for schools
Fruits & Vegetables
California Avocados Teacher Site-"web site has games, kids' recipes and other fun things to do, plus helpful teacher resources and teacher tools."
Produce for Better Health Foundation- Get Kids Involved site
The Fruit Alphabet- a different fruit for every letter of the alphabet
Fresh for Kids- Australian site about fruits and vegetables (check out the teacher resources section)
Iowa Corn- fun for kids
Miscellaneous
Iowa State University/NASA Food in Space- Educator's site includes lesson plans
National Honey Board- for kids and teachers
