Aquaponics in schools: Hands-on learning about healthy eating and a healthy planet.

Autor: Kluczkovski A; Centre for Novel Agricultural Products - CNAP, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK., Ehgartner U; School for Business and Society, University of York, York, UK., Pugh E; Department of Education, University of York, York, UK., Hockenhull I; Centre for Novel Agricultural Products - CNAP, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK., Heaps-Page R; Farm Urban, Liverpool, UK., Williams A; Farm Urban, Liverpool, UK., Thomas JMH; Farm Urban, Liverpool, UK., Doherty B; School for Business and Society, University of York, York, UK., Bryant M; Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK., Denby K; Centre for Novel Agricultural Products - CNAP, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Nutrition bulletin [Nutr Bull] 2024 Sep; Vol. 49 (3), pp. 327-344. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 11.
DOI: 10.1111/nbu.12689
Abstrakt: Our food system is giving rise to a growing social, health and environmental crisis. Much of the food consumed in the United Kingdom is cheap, nutrient-poor and highly processed, leading to under-consumption of essential foods such as grains, beans, vegetables and fruit. This has contributed to a rise in diet-related diseases, with approximately 22% of primary school leavers being overweight or obese. Food production is unsustainable with agriculture responsible for 10% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions and intensive farming practices have led to a significant loss of soil carbon and a decline in biodiversity. COVID-19 increased inequalities in our food system. Therefore, there is an urgent need for interventions to counteract these adverse social, health and environmental impacts. Education can play a crucial role as an intervention to address challenges in the food system. We tested an innovative school initiative using portable aquaponic pods and aligned to the national curriculum, to engage pupils in food production and foster learning about sustainability, climate change and healthy eating. The evaluation, based on teacher surveys, aquapod chart data, student blogs and postcards and feedback from the development team, revealed positive impacts on students' environmental awareness, as well as sustainability and practical food production knowledge. However, the programme encountered logistical challenges and we therefore highlight future improvements to produce a curriculum programme that can be delivered at scale to enhance food education and empower pupils to drive the agenda on tackling food sustainability and climate change.
(© 2024 The Author(s). Nutrition Bulletin published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Nutrition Foundation.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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