THE 100-MILE CAFETERIA

THE CHALLENGE: A new school is opening in fall 2009 and must provide lunch services to its students. Many nutritionists, environmental advocates and local farmers are recommending the school create a 100-Mile Cafeteria where all food sold is produced within a 100-mile radius of the school.

ABOUT THE PROJECT: Over six-weeks, students must determine if the concept is feasible, desirable and necessary— and then they must present their recommendations to the school’s board of education.

INTEGRATING NYS LEARNING STANDARDS & KEY IDEAS:

The following standards and key ideas will be integrated into this project:

• Global History & Geography (Social Studies Standard #3, Key Ideas in Geography, Key Ideas in Economics)

• Technology (Integrated Multimedia Computer Skills)

• Environmental Science (Math, Science & Technology Standard #5)

Students will need to understand traditional content, such as: the differences between types of maps, basic nutritional needs of adolescents, terminology of economics and the real-world impact of making decisions based on sustainability.

BEYOND NYS STANDARDS: This project will go beyond state standards to get at the heart of how technology is actually being used to address significant issues in the real world.

BUSINESS PARTNERS & EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: In conjunction with staff from MapInfo Corporation in Troy, who are experts in GIS (geographic information systems) technology and apply this mapping software in their daily work, teachers will help students use GIS software to analyze the feasibility of the 100-Mile Cafeteria. Flexible-block scheduling will allow teachers to adapt the schedule so that MapInfo experts can be an integral part of the teaching team.

IT TOOLS FOR PROJECT PLANNING & COMPLETION: Assignments will be contained in a "project briefcase" (digital portfolios of all project materials) and will be accessible to students and parents at all times. These portfolios will include project calendars, important dates and deadlines, readings, assessment rubrics, GIS training schedules, student "contracts" for behavior and performance, and timelines for completion.

The New Tech High Learning System ^tm and a 1:1 student-to-networked-computer environment at Tech Valley High will allow students to track progress, complete assignments and review evaluations at any point in the project.

REAL-WORLD ASSESSMENT: The final project assessments will include students defending their work in front of school district food service directors, local farmers, MapInfo staff and environmentalists. They will need to speak with confidence about nutritional needs of adolescents and about the impact of carbon exhausts on local and global environments. They will need to utilize topographical, political and regional mapping software to make their point. And they will need to articulate what sustainability means in the real world.

REAL-WORLD IMPLICATIONS: As one of their final products, students will produce a report, article, proposal or "white paper" that will be circulated in the community to make a real-world impact on local sustainability.