Why This Class

Keeping your student focused in an area like STEM can be a challenge—if they can’t see the fun or personal relevance behind a scientific concept, their attention can easily drift elsewhere. This course focuses on one of the most fun and relevant scientific topics of all: food!

Through hands-on projects, mentors guide students through an in-depth exploration of the science behind food processing and decay, the impact of food choices on both the human body and Earth itself and the cases for and against genetically modified foods. Students also complete a service project by donating time to feed the hungry.

By the end of this course, students reach a new level of awareness and excitement about the science that surrounds them every day. They are also more conscious of their food choices and their capacity to reduce world hunger.

Overarching Questions

What is the purpose of a cell and what are its components?

Why is there so much hunger in the world when we have more than enough food?

What principles can help me eat well and interpret ever-changing food trends?

What is DNA and how does it contribute to who I am?

What is right and wrong when it comes to the genetic modification of plants, animals, and humans?