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FOOD FOR 

THOUGHT

The goal of the Food for Thought project is to engage learners in conversations about the impact of their food choices on the environment. This allows learners to develop content knowledge and engage in data interpretation and synthesis skills. 

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In the first iteration of the study , the project team developed an app for use on large, multi-touch tables, that combined food choice, calories and costs (topics familiar to students) with data about the amount carbon and water that it takes to produce each food item. Students worked collaboratively to create meals, and were prompted to discuss the data describing the environmental impact of their choices in a classroom setting. 

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In the second iteration, additional visualizations were used to explore their impact on students' attention to the data. A study with local middle school students was conducted in May 2017. 

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The app was also adapted for use on iPads . Find out more at the Food for Thought website: https://www.foodforthought.illinois.edu/

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Funding Source

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This project was funded by the Illinios Campus Research Board Arnold O. Beckman award (Award number: RB15253)

 

The adaption to an iPad app was funded by the University of Illinois College of Education's Santee Research Funds. 
 

Lawrence, L., Mercier, E., & Kelly, S. (2017, April) Designing for Data Literacy with Collaboration and Multi-touch Technology. Poster at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, St. Antonio, TX, USA.

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Kelly, S., Mercier, E., & Lawrence, L. (2017, April) Student Collaboration to Build Joint Understanding of Data. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, St. Antonio, TX, USA.

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Wired In: Emma Mercier

The News-Gazette |  May 1, 2017

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C&I professor’s app helps kids understand the environmental impact of food choices

College of Education |  May 2, 2017

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New computer app encourages kids to choose eco-friendly meals

Business Standard  |  May 23, 2016 

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Healthy Eating App Teaches Students Climate Change

Big Think  |  May 20, 2016

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App Shows Kids How Their Dinner Affects the Planet

Take Apart  |  June 5, 2016

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App calculates meals carbon footprint

Queminova  |  June 6, 2016

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Illini app gives kids something to chew over  

The Big Ten Network  |  May 22, 2016

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Computer app whets children's appetites for eco-friendly meals

Psyh Org  |  May 19, 2016

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New app shows kids how their meal will affect the environment

Consumer Affairs  |  May 27, 2016

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This App Tells Kids Exactly How Their Meals Affect the Planet

Lady Freethinker  |  December 12, 2016

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App Encourages Kids to Pick Eco-Friendly Meals

Pune Mirro  |  May 24, 2016

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Soon, an app that whets kids’ appetites for eco-friendly meals

The Free Press Journal  |  May 23, 2016

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Soon, an app that whets kids’ appetites for eco-friendly meals

The Siasat  |  May 24, 2016

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Nutrition: App That Lets Kids See Environmental Impact Of Their Food Choices Being Developed

Parent Herald  |  May 24, 2016

CONFERENCE

PRESENTATIONS//

MEDIA//

©2017 by EMMA MERCIER                        Champaign, IL                        colearnlab.org

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