How does the amount of water required to grow alfalfa impact ice cream prices? The PBS food science video, part of a larger playlist, explains how farmers use water to grow the alfalfa that is fed to dairy cows. the video introduces the concept of hidden resources in basic foods.

Concepts

food chains, water, food, food production, food science, food systems

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Track one meat (chicken, beef, etc.) back to the resources needed to produce it and discuss the hidden resources
• Before watching the video, bring in alfalfa and ask if this plant is something pupils eat

Classroom Considerations

• Video allows for streaming, downloading, sharing, and even modifying as needed

Pros

• Provides discussion questions
• Requires very little class time

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.4.2 SL.5.2 SL.6.2 SL.7.2 SL.8.2 SL.9-10.2 SL.11-12.2 RST.6-8.4 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4