Genetically Modified Food

One content area I think is extremely important in science and to gain interest in students is the food we eat.  It is something we all relate to, but not many know how it is being produced.  I would want to awaken student’s interest and motivation in science with the food they eat.

Showing a film like Food Inc. is one way to scare a bunch of kids to turn to vegetarians, but it is not only the meat industry that is creating poor quality food.  Students need to weigh the idea of genetically modified seeds and their impact on food.  Is it good that we all have huge seedless watermelons for cheap? Or bad that we are not getting the simple bacteria needed to help build our immune system. 

Since I work with 5^th graders I would only show part of the film that deals with the seeds farmers use. I would want them to discuss the benefits and repercussions. I also think its important to see how it works.  For an activity I would have students grow plants in the class, but half of them use some kind of Miracle Grow to see the advantages.  Do the plants taste the same? Even if they do is this something you want in all foods?  

Teaching students to be ready for the 21st century is teaching them to think about the world around them.  Farming and food consumption is looking to be a huge topic for the next generation.  There is no common ground or fair regulations and needs to be heavily reformed, monitored, and improved. 

Below are some resources one could use to help stimulate classroom activity.

Resources:

http://www.pbs.org/pov/foodinc/lessonplan3.php

http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.gen.lp_bioengfood/

http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotechnology/sakko.html