Using Current and Emerging Food Trends to Enhance Science Educators` Curriculum

The goal of this project is to design curricula that will assist 9th -12th grade science educators using topics from food and agricultural sciences and that align with the new science standards. The specific objectives are to: 1) provide activities that investigate trending topics in food safety, nutrition, and health, 2) expose students to unique careers in food and agricultural sciences, and 3) receive the NGSS Design Badge on the curriculum so that educators across the nation have access to the materials.Three sets of curricula will be developed to address the Farm Bill Priority Area of Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) has expertise in providing and delivering content in these areas. Therefore, the leading investigators of this proposal will reach out, as needed, to the larger academic community while preparing interactive and cutting age material and activities to develop the final curriculum. These materials will provide opportunities for students to learn not only about science concepts and how to apply them, but also about the unique careers in the field of food and agricultural sciences. High school educators from different regions of the state of Nebraska will assist the project directors in designing the curriculum for classroom use. A group of 20 educators will be invited to pilot the curriculum in their classrooms during year two of the project. Using the feedback from educators piloting the curriculum in their schools, the materials will be improved and submitted to Achieve for evaluation by its Science Peer Review Panel (NGSS Lead States, 2013). Once the changes recommended by the peer review panel are made, the curriculum will receive the NGSS Design Badge. By designating the materials free for public use, the curriculum will be available online through Achieve's website and to educators nationwide. Videos, electronic handouts and other educational materials used.