From Classroom to Cafeteria: Fun with STEM and Food Authenticity

Have you ever questioned the authenticity of the food on your table? Have you ever experimented with your ingredients to check their purity? In my STEAM-based Global Outlook (G.O) subject, I designed a lesson plan for Grade VII to test basic commodities we consume every day, like milk, honey, salt, turmeric, and pepper, and determine their authenticity.

The aim of this lesson was to:

1. Research methodologies to assess the originality of the product.
2. Determine the authenticity of the commodity through experimentation.
3. Spread awareness to determine the originality of the product in the local community.

As usual, I briefed my team of G.O. teachers on the lesson plan and left it in their capable hands to execute it. Observing the class conducted by my teachers reinforced my belief that a great teacher has the power to inspire students.

The teachers collaborated among themselves, shared the lesson objectives, got students to research more on the commodities of daily use, allocated resources for the methodology of testing. They booked the entire cafeteria for this activity and divided the students into groups. On the final day, around 240 students were taken to the cafeteria at one time. to ensure the experiments were executed simultaneously.  The students were aware of their table space and simply readied their materials. Teachers took charge of three tables at a time to facilitate the learning.

The lead teacher had the microphone and guided students to navigate from one test to another. The students noted down their observations after discussions with the groups. The canteen was bustling as students were deeply engaged in discussions and experiments, their focus entirely on the tasks allocated to them. They had looks of awe and wonder, and as a Head Teacher, I never felt this level of satisfaction. Seeing students display a joy for research, experiments, and exploration, and including each other in the discussion, tells us that we are on the right path.

   Students testing authenticity of pepper seeds. If it floats, it is impure and basically papaya seeds. 

Students testing authenticity of honey. 

I personally went from table to table, asking about their results and whether they were enjoying the experience. Every table had students informing me that they were having fun and that they would inform their parents of these results so they could buy more authentic food.

STEM is truly everywhere; we just need to get students to look around and connect the concepts they learn in class to day-to-day phenomena and activities, and voila, their interest will grow.

From experience, designing a lesson plan and seeing it come to life are two different experiences. Sometimes the best lessons fail because the planner and the executor are not on the same page. However, a combination of a well-crafted lesson plan and robust delivery by experienced teachers can raise the standard of learning outcomes and take it to another level completely. I am completely grateful to my amazing team of teachers who have given wings to my subject.

I have attached my lesson plan for your use and test for food authenticity. Do share your class experience. 

Lesson Plan on  Determining food authenticity

 

Bumper to Bumper: Psychological Shift from Calm to Chaos

I have been driving these past few days, and I have observed myself swearing and getting frustrated. I enjoy driving but this behaviour of mine is new to me. I've been driving on the same road for the past seven years and it used to take a maximum of 15 minutes. However, due to metro construction work since 2019,  the driving time has stretched from 15 minutes to 45 minutes, and sometimes even up to an hour. I've tried many detours using small narrow lanes, but if I was successful once, the second time, I got badly stuck. I also tried the train but the station is far from both home and school, and it's only a one-stop ride so it doesn't help much. 

How has it affected my psyche over time? I dread taking my vehicle out while returning from school. I mentally prepare myself to spend at least 30 minutes on the road, going bumper to bumper. I know that if I blink for a second, another vehicle is going to grab my space, so I have to stay alert every second. 

Last month, I was in Tirupati and we hired a driver to take us from Chennai to Tirumala. He was driving smoothly but I felt he wasn't speeding when the road was empty. Being used to bumper-to-bumper driving, I shared my thoughts and he took it very personally. In retrospect, I realized he was right; there was no need to rush as we were on time but the past experiences had made me impatient. 

What about my observations on the road over the past few years? It's alarming to see people breaking every single rule during the drive. Just yesterday, I was waiting at the signal, a rickshaw rode beside me going half on the footpath and half on the road scratching my vehicle, and running away gleefully. What made it worse was a bunch of bikers enjoying that moment and mocking me. I honestly did not know what to make of this experience. Should I feel aghast that hitting people's cars to make space for oneself is celebrated or feel humiliated that people who rode by made eye contact with me and laughed at my expense? 

Another keen observation is people driving from the opposite side, expecting you to make way for their cars, especially when they know they are in the wrong. This complete disregard for rules and protocol highlights a character who only wishes to serve himself with no regard for others. 

Over the years we have become so self-centered, using our vehicles to fulfill our needs and demands without caring for others. This is a cause of concern because a majority of the vehicles are driven by educated and qualified people. If they are exhibiting signs of self-centredness, disregard for rules, and 'I' over 'We' mentality then you can imagine where we are taking the nation. 

My sincere request to the government and road officials is to please not dig up all roads at once. The impact is not just on the driving time but also on the fabric of society, where people justify their roles and unfair acts simply because they wish to be in a particular place at a particular time. 

In my previous blog, I highlighted the need for bridging the gap between education and culture, and even today, I urge you all to do the same. We are a population of 1.4 billion with 24% in the age bracket of 0 to 14 years. There is huge potential for change if we all come together - Government, Educational institutions, boards, teachers, parents, and students, - and hold values above academics.  

Do share your personal experience and your journey.