The goal of this lesson is to encourage students to look at the topic of food security using a systems approach, and to evaluate the stability of our global food production by assessing the interactions within the system. Students will review the definition of a system and discuss how approaching a problem or issue by modeling it as a system can lead to both improved understanding and more effective problem-solving. The lesson includes an overview of different methods used to visually represent systems-level problems, and students practice using these models to illustrate food security. Students will ultimately apply their knowledge of the concept of food security and the stakeholders involved to create a large causal loop diagram that helps them visualize interactions within the system, feedback loops, and tipping points. This activity will help students evaluate the sustainability of our food supply and the vulnerability of particular groups to food insecurity.

FOR EDUCATORS

Please use this Complete Food Security (FS) Module link to access the most up-to-date version of our Food Security Curriculum Module (last updated 04/16/2019) which is currently being field-tested. If you would like to field test these lessons, please email us at see@systemsbiology.org.

RESOURCES

For your convenience, the following are quick links to the resources required for Lesson FS4: Food Security as a System. Links to these resources can also be found in the Lesson FS4 document.

• • Food_Security_Vocabulary PowerPoint
  • Example systems network diagram
  • Is it a system? Worksheet from Page Keeley (Science Formative Assessment, Keeley 2009)

• • Habits of a Systems Thinker from Waters Foundation handout (Waters Foundation 2017)

• “S.T.O.P. Coffee Crutch Story” handout
• “Building Your Case” worksheet (at end of Lesson FS1 document)

*Links to all curriculum documents (except Application 1) updated 11/01/18*