Developing a Food Systems Education Framework

UW-Extension Community Food Systems Team (CFST)and the Wisconsin Center for Environmental EducationUW Stevens Point - College of Natural Resources

Wisconsin Food Systems Education Framework

Jeremy SolinDirector (interim), WCEE UW-Extension SpecialistMadelin PetzFood Systems Education Outreach Specialist, WCEE

1What is an education framework?Foundation for identifying and developing educational materials and programsVariety of topicsVariety of agesWCEE frameworks on sustainability, forestry, and energy education2What is a food systems education framework?A food system includes all of the processes involved in keeping us fed, along with the inputs and outputs generated at each step. *

Food systems literacyhaving the knowledge and skills to understand and act within a food system and its components.

A food systems education framework documents and organizes the broad range of content, skills, and dispositions included in food systems education.

* Cornell University, http://www.discoverfoodsys.cornell.edu/primer.html 3The Development ProcessStep 1: Food system components and contacts

Step 2: Content, skills, and dispositions- Survey and webinar input

Step 3: Analyze and organize- Concepts and themes- Drafts and revising

Step 4: Scope and sequence- Relate concepts to grade levels- Team workday

Wisconsin specific (input process), but relevant elsewhereYear long project, multiple stages

4Project TimelineMay June 2014: Steps 1 and 2- identify food system components- identify key contacts - develop and distribute survey and webinar

July September 2014: Step 3 - analyze and organize contributed information- concepts and themes- compare to existing frameworks, share with contributors November 2014 April 2015:Step 4- scope and sequence meeting- compile sections, reviews and revisions, final draft5Input SurveyFood literacyYouth competencies

Over 500 contactsAbout 200 responses (teachers, students, food system industry, business, non-profit, farmers, university, waste sector, marketing, food security, food distribution, food processors, etc.)

Next Steps in Program Development2) Bridge with standardsAg, Food, Natural ResourcesEnvironmental EducationHealth EducationNutrition ScienceScienceNGSS1) Compile resourcesCompile pertinent and applicable existing resourcesMerge with framework concepts to facilitate teachingIdentify gapsConceptsScope and SequenceOther Framework ExamplesForestry Education: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/leaf/SiteAssets/Pages/Curriculum/LEAF%20Conceputal%20Framework%202005.pdf

Renewable Energy/Energy Education:http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/KEEP/Documents/Publications/Conceptual_Framework.pdf

9Thank you!Madelin.Petz@uwsp.edu715.346.2779

10