What a treat to be a part of the EcoCooks Elementary creation journey!
We've been impressed with the connections that elementary students make between food choices and the planet — including some connections that we hadn’t yet made! We have also been impressed with the ability of this age group to understand and dream up actions and solutions that range from simplifying our food production systems and using fewer resources, to harnessing the power of technology to reduce food waste.
One interesting part of the process for us has been thinking about what kinds of prior knowledge this age group might have (as compared to older students) and what curriculum connections we could make. While our secondary program dives deep into subjects such as greenhouse gas production, our elementary pilot takes a broader view of where food comes from – including how plants grow!
We spent a lot of time thinking about how to bring EcoCooks ‘cooking days’ into classrooms where there are no kitchens. We’ve settled on a simple but creative food preparation activity (Trail Mix!) as well as a non-edible cooking activity (Play Dough!). In this way we are able to introduce culinary skills and build confidence within a traditional classroom setting. In our initial pilot program, both options have been hits!
We've also been trying to think about what kinds of food choices are within students' power at this age and tailoring the lesson goals around that. Younger students might not have as much food agency, so where can they make a difference? We are, however, reminded of the old saying ‘knowledge is power’ — learning where their food comes from and practicing food appreciation is valuable.
EcoCooks Elementary is made up of two fun, thought-provoking modules (each with 4 workshops) that include adapted activities from our secondary program, and brand new ones as well.
We look forward to expanding this program to more Grade 4-7 classrooms next school year, and expanding to younger students at some point too! If you would like EcoCooks Elementary in your Metro Vancouver or Calgary-area classroom in 2024/25 you can register now.
~ Education Team
