Greetings, Double-O-STEM Club Agents! You have been selected for an important mission. Dahlia needs your help with a problem at her community garden. Think about these questions as you watch the video. Write your answers in your notebook.
1. What grows in Dahlia’s Community Garden?
2. Why is Dahlia upset?
3. What does Dahlia learn from Reggie about the problem?
In this Reconsidering Food Packaging case, students will use library resources to complete the following tasks listed below. The learner version of the case can be found using this link.
Learners will need a place to take notes as they brainstorm and research solutions to the problem. Although questions are presented in the agent section of the online chapter, this course also includes a downloadable handbook for each case with brief activity descriptions, questions, thinking prompts, and white space for taking notes. This is presented as an "agent handbook," as learners are acting as new agents helping the main character with the mission/problem. Librarians may choose to download and print this handbook for learners or have them do it. Alternatively, librarians may decide to have learners type answers on a computer or provide learners with a folder in which to place the printouts or spiral notebook in which to write answers, sketch ideas, etc.
The following link to the handbook is also available to students in their student version of this book.
Double-O STEM Club Agent Handbook: Reconsidering Food Packaging
For your convenience, the student version of each activity is located in the "Think," "Create," and "Share & Grow" sections of this book.
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Standards - Inquiry
Learning Activities
This activity introduces the case and the charge to develop environmentally friendly packaging to transport produce from an urban garden. Problems associated with the case involve reducing food waste and facilitating food transportation without damage. During this activity, Double-O STEM Club agents will identify and describe the main problem presented in the video, discuss possible solutions with peers, and formulate research questions based on identified problem(s) and prior knowledge.
Materials
Setup
This activity includes whole-class and group discussion. Set up an area that allows the librarian to introduce the case and share examples. Provide agents with notebooks and writing instruments and encourage them to capture ideas (through words and illustrations) as they work on this case. Allow students to brainstorm problems associated with the case and questions that may require additional research. Capture main ideas on a whiteboard, easel pad, or other medium. Be sure to ask agents if there are aspects of other cases they have completed that might apply in this case.
Activity 1: Question
Now that you have seen the video, work with other Double-O STEM Club agents to think about the problem and a solution.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering:
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry:
During this activity, agents will use library resources to begin researching food packaging options for produce. They need to become familiar with how different produce items (e.g., strawberries, green onions, green beans, apples, spinach, tomatoes, etc.) are typically packaged in order to keep the items from getting smashed. They should start to create a list of qualities or criteria to consider when choosing packaging (e.g., Should people be able to see the produce? How strong should it be? Can the packaging be pliable or should it be stiff?). Agents will form research questions and receive instruction about how to answer those questions using library resources (e.g. reference and circulation materials, databases, internet searches).
Materials
Setup
This activity includes group discussion and individual research. Prior to the lesson, set up a seating arrangement that allows for whole class and small group discussion. Also setup resources to capture agent ideas/questions so that all agents can view postings easily. Ensure that agents will have easy access to library catalogues and other search tools.
Activity 2: Research Food Packaging
Use library resources to begin researching food packaging options for produce. Create a list of qualities to consider when choosing packaging materials. Share your notes with other Double-O STEM Club agents.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Based on library research, and/or group discussions, agents will determine what food package(s) they should try to improve and the evaluation criteria used to measure improvement. A draft evaluation checklist or rubric should be developed to help agents know what they should strive to accomplish as they develop and test prototypes. At a minimum, evaluation criteria should emphasize biodegradable and/or environmentally friendly materials.
Materials
Setup
This activity includes small and whole group discussion. Prior to the lesson, set up a seating arrangement that allows for whole and small group discussion around a hands-on activity. Focus the seating arrangement on the tool used to capture ideas.
Activity 3: Evaluation Criteria
Now that you've done general research about food packaging, it is time to think about what improvements you would make to solve Dahlia’s food packaging problems and how to measure those improvements. If not already provided for you, create an evaluation checklist to use when testing a prototype. Discuss answers to the guiding questions in this section with your fellow Double-O STEM Club agents. Remember to take notes.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Based on the evaluation criteria developed in the previous activity, individuals or groups of agents will use provided materials to develop new packaging prototypes. If appropriate, have agents build packaging prototypes for other groups and library patrons to test.
Materials
Setup
This activity is largely hands-on. Prior to the lesson, set up a seating arrangement that allows for whole and small group discussion around a hands-on activity. Make sure there is ample space for agents to cut, fold, tape, and glue materials together to build prototypes. Organize craft materials so they are in a central location with easy access to agents. Encourage agents to document ideas in their notebooks and later refer to them for ideas and insights.
You may want to begin the lesson by reviewing packaging purposes and examples as well as structural and insulating techniques explored in class. Be sure to use the camera to capture work samples and design processes during the session.
Activity 4: Package Prototype
Time to start building! Use library materials to create a prototype (an example for testing). Don’t worry about it looking nice. Have someone in your group write down the design decisions you make along the way.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
As agents build prototypes, they will be given materials (e.g., water, dirt, paper, rocks) to test their prototypes based on the evaluation criteria established and refined in earlier sessions. Agents should capture these evaluations and learn how to use and reflect on them to drive future prototypes. Reflections should focus on the effectiveness of prototypes and design decisions, how use materials influence evaluations, hypotheses and design ideas, and so forth. Be sure to discuss and revise evaluation criteria (as needed) based on agent prototypes, design foci, and so forth. As appropriate let other groups and library patrons test the packaging prototypes using providing evaluation criteria.
Materials
Setup
This activity is largely hands-on and can get messy. Setup in a location that eases clean-up (e.g., near a sink or restrooms, non-carpet floors). Prior to the lesson, set up a seating arrangement that allows for whole and small group discussion around a hands-on activity. Make sure there is ample space for agents to test prototypes. You may also want to provide prototype construction materials so agents can refine their work as they test it. Encourage agents to document ideas and outcomes in their notebooks. Place filler materials so they are in a central location with easy access to agents. You may want to begin the lesson by reviewing packaging purposes and reviewing prototype evaluation criteria. If library patrons and families will be provided with prototypes, establish how they will provide feedback. Be sure to use the camera to capture work samples and design processes during the session.
Activity 5: Prototype Testing & Revisions
How do we know that your designs work, agents? We need you to put your designs to the test. Use materials you can find, like water, dirt, rocks, or real fruits and vegetables (if available) for your tests. As a group, think about what questions you need to ask during your test. Use the evaluation checklist that you wrote earlier. Write down the outcomes.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Near the end of this case, agents will showcase their best prototype and the design decisions/ideas, and tests that led them to their solution. This may require them to make a new version of their prototype (if testing and reflection damaged or destroyed their prototype). Encourage agents to focus on a quality build over aesthetics (if needed). Then have agents describe their package, the design decisions they used to develop it, how testing and reflection improved their product, and how they would continue to perfect the model if given the chance. Use this session to focus on celebrating accomplishments and creative thinking.
Materials
Setup
This activity includes individual and group discussion. Prior to the lesson, set up a seating arrangement that allows for whole and small group discussion around group presentations. Make sure to decorate the presentation space with celebration materials. Provide agents with their notebooks, photographs and videos of prototypes and testing examples, summaries of evaluation criteria for their prototypes, and a copy of their best prototype. Also provide tools for groups to develop a short presentation about their work.
Activity 6: Showcase and Reflection
Great job, agents! I knew I could count on you to solve Dahlia’s food packaging problem. Now it is time to share your designs. As a group, present your prototype (make a new one if yours was damaged during testing).
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Celebration
Excellent food packaging designs, agents! Watch the video below to wrap up this Double-O STEM Club mission.
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Access it online or download it at https://edtechbooks.org/double_o_stem/ReconsideringFoodPackaging.