title: Food-based Science Curriculum Increases 4thGraders Multidisciplinary Science Knowledge.
abstract: Health professionals and policymakers are asking educators to place more emphasis on food and nutrition education. Integrating these topics into science curricula using hand-on, food-based activities may strengthen students' understanding of science concepts. The Food, Math, and Science Teaching Enhancement Resource (FoodMASTER) Initiative is a compilation of programs aimed at using food as a tool to teach mathematics and science. Previous studies have shown that students experiencing the FoodMASTER curriculum were very excited about the activities, became increasingly interested in the subject matter of food, and were able to conduct scientific observations. The purpose of this study was to: 1) assess 4thgraders food-related multidisciplinary science knowledge, and 2) compare gains in food-related science knowledge after implementation of an integrated, food-based curriculum. During the 2009-2010 school year, FoodMASTER researchers implemented a hands-on, food-based intermediate curriculum in eighteen 4thgrade classrooms in Ohio (n=9) and North Carolina (n=9). Sixteen classrooms in Ohio (n=8) and North Carolina (n=8), following their standard science curricula, served as comparison classrooms. Students completed a researcher-developed science knowledge exam, consisting of 13 multiple-choice questions administered pre- and post-test. Only subjects with pre- and post-test scores were entered into the sample (Intervention n=343; Control n=237). No significant differences were observed between groups at pre-test. At post-test, the intervention group scored (9.95±2.00) significantly higher (p=.000) than the control group (8.84±2.37) on a 13-point scale. These findings suggest the FoodMASTER intermediate curriculum is more effective than a standard science curriculum in increasing students' multidisciplinary science knowledge related to food.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Dietetics, Marshall University, One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755, 304-696-2507.
authors.forename: Jana A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hovland
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor/FoodMASTER Associate Director, College of Human Ecology, East Carolina University, 266 Rivers Bldg., Greenville, NC 27858, 252-737-2473 office.
authors.forename: Virginia G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Carraway-Stage
authors.affiliation: Public Health Nutritionist (Nutritionist II), Wayne County Health Department, Goldsboro, NC 850-980-5511.
authors.forename: Artenida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cela
authors.affiliation: Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Nutrition Science, East Carolina University, 272 Rivers Building, Greenville, NC 27858, 252-328-5698 office, 252-328-4276 fax.
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Diaz Consulting LLC, 203 West Main Street, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525-7113, 304-698-6780 cell.
authors.forename: Sebastián R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.affiliation: Director of the Center for STEM Education, East Carolina University, 319 Cotanche St. Building 159, Greenville, NC 27858, 252-328-6164 office, 52-328-6491 fax.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: FoodMASTER Director, PI, Director of Special Projects Center for STEM Education, East Carolina University, 272 Rivers Bldg., Greenville, NC 27858, 252-328-5698 office, 252-328-4276 fax.
authors.forename: Melani W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Duffrin
keywords: Education; Elementary; Food Science; Multidisciplinary Science Knowledge; Nutrition Education