Did you know that the average American creates 20 lbs of food waste per month? You'll be surprised by all the things you can do to pitch in to help reduce the amount of food we waste.
Grade level: 6-10
Length: 2 minutes
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas: MS-ESS3.A, MS-ESS3.C
In this video, we'll explore some easy ways you can help reduce food waste, like using specialized mobile apps, composting, and making a weekly food menu. Below are discussion questions you can use in the classroom in conjunction with this video to inspire your students to waste less food.
Use this resource to ground your understanding before integrating this video into your lesson. Alternatively, allow your students to practice close reading of scientific texts by passing out the article and the empty version of the chart—let them do the work!
Because the issues we're exploring in Flipside Science are complex, we've evaluated how the solution fares across three important dimensions: the environment, the economy, and society.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
How do we assess the benefits and drawbacks of various solutions to a problem? To decide how one potential solution compares to another, we have to consider the pros and cons of each from many dimensions, including environmental, social, cultural, and economic. In this activity, students will work together to map out the strengths and limitations of potential solutions to some important global food system issues.
While this video doesn't necessarily cover the following standards in depth, it is a compelling resource you can use to supplement your curriculum that does.
Disciplinary Core Ideas (Grades 6-8):
MS-ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems
To feed our growing world, we need innovative solutions. This unit explores environmental issues related to the food we grow and eat. We'll review topics from food waste to urban farming, and learn how simple choices we make impact our planet. This unit introduces students to the process of design thinking, and culminates in a design thinking challenge related to food systems issues.
Browse All Materials:
Reducing San Francisco's Landfill Waste
Learn about how San Francisco is approaching food waste in landfills in this classroom activity.
To Cut Food Waste, Spain's Solidarity Fridge Supplies Endless Leftovers
This news story is about a community fridge in Spain, and includes a radio broadcast version.
Love Food?
Try these tips from SFEnvironment to prevent food waste and save money before you shop, at the grocery store, and once you're at home.
