Where does our food come from before it reaches our plate? In this exciting STEM incursion, students become farmers, scientists and environmental stewards as they discover the journey of food from the farm to the table. Through coding, investigation, gardening, virtual reality and hands-on design, students explore how plants and animals provide us with food while learning about the important role of pollinators and sustainable food production.
Mission 1 – Edison Farm Adventure
Students become farm workers as they program Edison robots to navigate a farm-themed challenge mat. Using sequencing and problem-solving skills, they guide their robot to collect crops, visit farm animals and deliver food to its destination while developing early coding skills.
Mission 2 – Farm to Fork Challenge
Where does our food come from? Students investigate a variety of everyday foods before sorting them into foods that come from plants and foods that come from animals. Through discussion and hands-on exploration, they discover how farmers produce the food we enjoy every day.
Mission 3 – Seed Ball Workshop
Students become young gardeners as they create their own seed ball using soil, clay and vegetable seeds. They learn what plants need to grow and take home their seed ball to nurture into a healthy vegetable plant.
Mission 4 – Harvest Discovery
Students experience the journey of food through an immersive virtual reality adventure. From planting and growing to harvesting and transporting produce, students explore how food is produced before it reaches supermarkets and homes.
Mission 5 – Bee Hotel Builders
Students discover the important role bees play in pollinating many of the fruits and vegetables we eat before constructing their own bee hotel using natural materials. They learn how creating safe habitats for native solitary bees helps support healthy ecosystems and sustainable food production.
Students Will
- Explore the journey of food from the farm to the table.
- Identify foods that come from plants and animals.
- Develop computational thinking through coding challenges with Edison robots.
- Learn what plants need to grow by creating their own seed ball.
- Understand the vital role bees play in pollination and food production.
- Experience modern farming practices through virtual reality.
- Take home their own seed ball and bee hotel.
- Strengthen collaboration, creativity and problem-solving skills through hands-on STEM learning.