Food security and urban farming (US)

In this lesson, students will be immersed in, and connect with, the documentary film 2040, focusing on the topics of food security and urban agriculture. Students begin by exploring the concept of food security by participating in a classroom demonstration and a guided discussion around a food security clip. They then explore the practice of urban farming as one solution to current and future food security challenges. 

Students then work collaboratively to identify a potential site for an urban farm in their area, creating a proposal for this project to share with the class. 

Students will need to obtain more information about the issues they are going to investigate. They can identify questions of interest and research these either in small groups or on their own. Once information is gathered, it can be shared using chosen communication methods e.g. short presentations. Students can continue finding out by completing a range of investigations, including gathering data. They use appropriate methods to present and communicate what they have found out.

Teaching Strategies: Medium – oversee activities and facilitate class discussions.

Learning objectives:

• Students will understand define and examine issues connected with.
• Students will understand what urban agriculture is and how it can help address food security

Credits and acknowledgements:

Cool.org prepared the 2040 Curriculum Guide. Together Films adapted these lessons for US educators and will do an annual review of these resources to ensure they are still in line with the US Curriculum.

US Educator Note: Australian educational standards have been adapted and aligned by discipline, and when possible, to US standards.

Cool Australia, GoodThing Productions and Regen Studios would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of Good Pitch Australia, Shark Island Institute, Documentary Australia Foundation, The Caledonia Foundation, Global Health Film and our philanthropic partners in the development of these teaching resources.