In this Flipside Science unit, designed for a middle school audience, we'll explore environmental issues related to the food we grow and eat. On this page you'll find nine short videos and five associated lesson plans connected to the Next Generation Science Standards with an emphasis on engineering and design thinking.
Videos in this Unit
What is the Environmental Impact of Feeding the World?
To feed our growing world, we need innovative solutions.
Urban Farming
Did you know that 23 million Americans currently don't have access to grocery stores?
Think Before You Eat
What's the environmental impact of that cheeseburger you just ate?
Vertical Farming
How can we grow food with less land?
Reducing Food Waste
Did you know that the average American creates 20 lbs of food waste per month?
What's Up With Your Gut Microbiome?
Fungi, bacteria, and viruses make up a rich ecosystem inside of our bodies.
Why Protect Pollinators?
Pollinators contribute to the biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems and benefit people. Let's protect them!
Bugs for Breakfast
Flipside Science explores why eating insects is better for our planet than other sources of protein, like beef.
Un Chapulín Crujiente
¿Podría comer insectos mejor para el medio ambiente que comer otras fuentes de proteínas?
Return to Homepage
All units in this series focus on human impacts on Earth's systems.
Unit Lessons in Sequence
Food for Thought: Defining a Problem to Find a Solution
In this activity, students gain insight into the challenges associated with meeting various design requirements.
Exploring the Impacts of Feeding the World
© 2015 California Academy of Sciences
In this two-day lesson, students explore several issues surrounding our current global food system.
Rapid Brainstorming: How Can We Improve Our Global Food System?
Practice rapid ideation—an important step in design thinking—by brainstorming solutions to food systems issues.
Sustainable Food Solutions: Weighing the Pros and Cons
In this activity, students will work together to weigh potential solutions to global food system issues.
Our Hungry Planet: Design Thinking Challenge
Design Thinking Challenge: Are your students ready to tackle a food system issue at home or in their school?
View Unit Summary
Download an overview of the course, complete with connections to the NGSS.
Associated Resources
Cornucopia
In this game, students level up the farm with green technology to meet the space and water needs of their crops.
About Cornucopia
In this free browser-based game, you'll plant crops and earn technology updates to make your farm successful!
Science Texts for Close Reading
Your students can evaluate some of the innovative solutions introduced in this unit, like reducing food waste.
Flipside Science
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