Food for Thought
The goal of the Food for Thought project is to understand how collaborative learning activities can be used to support the development of data literacy, with a focus on climate change.
The project team developed an app 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.
The research team is examining:
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How students collaborate to make sense of multiple sources of data.
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The features of the classroom activity and the app that are associated with more complex discussions around the data.
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The design features that supported or limited the students’ engagement with the content.
Current work:
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Now you can learn more and download the Food for Thought iPad app.
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We've just collected data on a comparison study with new design of interface.
Visit the Full Website
Project Team
Emma Mercier (PI)
Kelly Cole
Lu Lawrence
Susan Kelly
Max Collins
Collaborators
Funding
This project was funded by the Illinios Campus Research Board Arnold O. Beckman award (Award number: RB15253)
Publications & Conferences
Kelly, S. B., Lawrence, L., & Mercier, E. (2017). Engaging everyday science data to help make sense of data. In B. K. Smith, M. Borge, E. Mercier, & K.Y. Lim (Eds.), Making a Difference—Prioritizing Equity and Access in CSCL: The 12th International Conference on Computer Supported Collaborative Learning. Philadelphia: The International Society of the Learning Sciences.
Kelly, S. B., Lawrence, L., & Mercier, E. (2017, April). Student collaboration to build joint understanding of data. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Antonio, TX.
Lawrence, L., Kelly, S. B., & Mercier, E. (2017, April). Designing for data literacy with collaboration and multi-touch technology. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Antonio, TX.
In the News
Wired In: Emma Mercier
The News-Gazette | May 1, 2017
C&I professor’s app helps kids understand the environmental impact of food choices
College of Education | May 2, 2017
New computer app encourages kids to choose eco-friendly meals
Business Standard | May 23, 2016
Healthy Eating App Teaches Students Climate Change
Big Think | May 20, 2016
App Shows Kids How Their Dinner Affects the Planet
Take Apart | June 5, 2016
App calculates meals carbon footprint
Queminova | June 6, 2016
Illini app gives kids something to chew over
The Big Ten Network | May 22, 2016
Computer app whets children's appetites for eco-friendly meals
Psyh Org | May 19, 2016
New app shows kids how their meal will affect the environment
Consumer Affairs | May 27, 2016
This App Tells Kids Exactly How Their Meals Affect the Planet
Lady Freethinker | December 12, 2016
App Encourages Kids to Pick Eco-Friendly Meals
Pune Mirro | May 24, 2016
Soon, an app that whets kids’ appetites for eco-friendly meals
The Free Press Journal | May 23, 2016
Soon, an app that whets kids’ appetites for eco-friendly meals
The Siasat | May 24, 2016
Nutrition: App That Lets Kids See Environmental Impact Of Their Food Choices Being Developed
Parent Herald | May 24, 2016