Project L.U.N.C.H

Let’s Utilize New Cafeteria Habits

A WebQuest

D. Tinsley

P.S. 28M

The Wright Brothers School

Introduction

Each morning, our school day begins with a clean cafeteria, eagerly awaiting the arrival of students for breakfast and lunch. However, by late afternoon, spilled milk, food scraps and empty trays and containers litter the tables and floor and trash bins overflow with wasted food.

· Why is so much food being wasted?

· Why are the floor and tables left strewn with trash?

Your job as a member of Project L.U.N.C.H. is to educate your peers (P.S. 28 students) about improving our school’s cafeteria environment. How can we reduce the amount of wasted food and maintain a clean and welcoming cafeteria environment?

Task

As a member of the Project L.U.N.C.H. (Let’s Utilize New Cafeteria Habits) team, your task is to develop a plan to encourage students to be more responsible in their cafeteria habits. You will present your findings in a PowerPoint presentation to classes in the auditorium. Remember to make your presentation informative and interesting. do not forget to cite sources.

Process

You will be divided into two subgroups of 5 students each. One group will focus on Maintaining a Clean Cafeteria Environment. The second group will focus on Reducing Food Waste in Our Cafeteria.

1. The first group will monitor students’ use of the cafeteria for one week. Gather data and record your observations:

· During which days/periods are students demonstrating their most responsible cafeteria behavior?

· During which days/periods are students demonstrating their least responsible cafeteria behavior?

· Are there particular grades/classes setting a positive example we can encourage others to emulate?

· Monitor cafeteria cleanliness throughout the lunch periods. Note particular behaviors to be targeted for improvement.

The second group will monitor the amount of food being wasted in one week.

· During which days/periods is the most food being wasted?

· Does the amount of wasted food depend on the menu?

· Interview a random sample of students. Some questions you may ask;

· Why do you think so much food is being wasted?

· What can we do to reduce the amount of wasted food?

· How can we encourage all students to join us in our efforts?

Within each subgroup you need to decide what responsibilities each student will have. Responsibilities may include: recording and organizing data based on your observations, conducting interviews and analyzing responses, collecting images (i.e. photographs) of the cafeteria environment at various times during your study.

Each group will incorporate the PPA steps listed below:

1. Define the problem – Clearly identify the problem

http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet1.doc

2. Gather evidence – You may observe the cafeteria (before & after) and record your observations; take photographs; produce a short video clip

http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet2.doc

3. Identify the causes – Survey or interview students and staff

http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet3.doc

4. Analyze P.S. 28’s policy regarding the cafeteria environment

http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet4.doc

5. Propose an original public policy solution

http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet5.doc

6. Select the best solution for the problem

http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet6.doc

Finally, the two groups will join to collaborate on a PowerPoint presentation for the P.S. 28 grade band you have selected. Remember, the purpose of the PowerPoint presentation is to inform students of the problem and encourage them to help with your solution. The following resources contain useful information.

Resources

http://www.cafeteriawastereduction.com/CWR/HOME.html

http://www.epa.gov/region2/webinars/pdfs/Cafeteria_Waste_Webinar.pdf

Evaluation

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Project	Observations made and data recorded. Interviews completed and responses analyzed. All 6 PPA steps incorporated.	Observations made and some data recorded. Interviews conducted. Five out of 6 PPA steps incorporated.	Observations and interviews completed, but no data recorded. Four out of 6 PPA steps barely incorporated.	Incomplete observations. No interviews. Fewer than 4 PPA steps not addressed.
Collaboration	Group members collaborated effectively. Responsibilities were shared. All members contributed to the project.	Collaboration was less effective. Responsibilities were not shared equally.	Some group members carried most of the workload. Others’ contributions were inconsistent.	Project was incomplete because not all responsibilities were carried out.
PowerPoint	Slides organized effectively. Graphics enhance presentation. Problem, process, solution clearly stated. Sources are correctly cited.	Slides organized. Graphics used, but do not enhance understanding. Problem, process and solution not clearly stated. Sources are cited.	No particular organization to slides. Distracting graphics. No clear indication of problem, process or solution. Some sources are cited.	Lack of organization. No graphics. No indication of problem, process or solution. No sources are cited.
Overall Presentation	Effective presentation: Clear, organized and engaging for the student audience.	Presentation was adequate for the student audience. Audience somewhat engaged.	Presentation lacked clarity or organization. Minimal audience engagement.	Presentation disorganized. Audience not engaged.

Conclusion

Thanks to you, we will all be able to enjoy a clean, welcoming cafeteria environment. Now, let’s begin to implement your solution!

Standards

5.4 Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

5.5 Include multimedia components (e.g. graphics) and visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

5.6 With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, to produce and publish writing.