aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Design and technology
What age group	Year or Grade 9
What topic	Food sustainability
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Introduction to Food Sustainability: A Creative Lesson Starter

Objective

Engage Year 9 students in the topic of food sustainability through a captivating and interactive introduction that sets the tone for the lesson.

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Lesson Starter: "The Great Food Waste Challenge"

Materials Needed

• A large container or basket
• A mix of common food items (real or fake, representing items that are often wasted)
• A poster board with statistics about food waste in Australia
• Markers and sticky notes

Activity Overview

Kick off the lesson with a hands-on challenge that highlights the impact of food waste and its implications for sustainability in our food systems.

Steps:

1. Set the Scene:

   • Begin by bringing the container filled with food items to the front of the class.
   • Ask students to imagine they’re in charge of a mini supermarket. Present a scenario: “You have just received a delivery of fresh food, but you need to decide what to keep, what to use, and what to throw away.”

2. Food Sorting Challenge:

   • In small groups, students will interact with the items in the container.
   • Challenge them to sort the food into three categories: Keep for Sale, Cook and Share, and Discard/Waste.
   • Provide sticky notes for students to write down reasons for their choices.

3. Discussion on Choices:

   • Once groups are finished sorting, each group shares their choices and reasoning with the class.
   • Facilitate a conversation about the importance of each choice and the implications of wasting food.

4. Statistics Reveal:

   • Introduce the poster board with Australian food waste statistics. Highlight shocking facts, such as how much food is wasted each year and its environmental impact. This can be complemented by visuals and infographics.

5. Connecting Back to Design and Technology:

   • Lead into a discussion about how design and technology can contribute to food sustainability.
   • Ask students to think about and share examples of innovative solutions, such as apps that help reduce food waste or sustainable packaging designs.

Conclusion

This engaging lesson starter sets the stage for a deeper exploration of food sustainability, encouraging critical thinking and creativity as students brainstorm how technology can help address food waste issues. This approach not only makes the learning experience interactive but also emphasizes real-world applications of design and technology.

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Follow-Up Activities

To further solidify learning, follow up with activities that encourage students to create their own solutions or designs that promote food sustainability, encouraging them to prototype and develop their ideas in the context of design and technology.

By starting with an interactive challenge, students become immediately invested in the topic, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of food sustainability while honing their designing and technical skills.