Food Tracker App-tastic Adventure!

7th Grade

Project
4 weeks

Food Tracker App-tastic Adventure!

Sarah Field

MS-LS1-1

MS-LS1-2

MS-LS1-3

MS-LS1-7

MS-LS1-8

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage 7th-grade students in creating a digital app that tracks food intake and demonstrates its effects on body systems and cellular functions. By collaborating with a local tech startup, students will gain insights into app development, focusing on user interface design and coding. Through hands-on experiments and model creation, students will explore the chemical reactions involved in digestion and energy release, deepening their understanding of the interconnectedness of food, cells, and energy.

Learning goals

Students will develop a digital tracking app to monitor their food intake and understand its impact on body systems and cellular functions. They will conduct experiments to analyze digestion and energy release, using models to illustrate chemical reactions. Through collaboration with a local tech startup, students will gain insights into app development, focusing on user interface design and coding to effectively communicate the relationship between food, cells, and energy.

Standards

MS-LS1-1 - Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells, either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.
MS-LS1-2 - Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.
MS-LS1-3 - Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.
MS-LS1-7 - Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.
MS-LS1-8 - Gather and synthesize information that sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain for immediate behavior or storage as memories.

Products

Students will create a digital app prototype designed to track food intake and analyze its effects on body systems and cellular functions. The app will include features that allow users to input meals, receive feedback on nutritional content, and visualize how different foods impact cellular processes and energy levels. By working with community partners, students will incorporate user-friendly design elements and coding techniques, ensuring the app is both educational and engaging.

Launch

Kick off the project with an interactive workshop where students brainstorm and sketch ideas for a digital app that tracks food intake and its effects on body systems. Invite a local tech startup representative to share insights on app development and user interface design. Encourage students to connect their ideas to the cellular and systemic functions of the body, setting the stage for their upcoming experiments and prototype development.

Exhibition

At the end of the project, students will present their paper prototypes or wireframes of the tracking app to an audience that includes peers, teachers, and representatives from the local tech startup. During the exhibition, students will demonstrate how their app helps users track food intake and understand its effects on body systems and cellular functions. They will also explain the scientific concepts behind their app, using models and evidence from their experiments to showcase the chemical reactions involved in digestion and energy release. This exhibition will provide an opportunity for students to receive feedback and reflect on their learning journey.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Launch Workshop - Introduce the project and brainstorm ideas with students on developing a digital app to track food intake and understand its effects on body systems (25 min) Tech Startup Insight Session - Host a guest speaker from a local tech startup to discuss app development and user interface design (20 min)	Cell Exploration Activity - Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells, using microscopes to observe different cell types (45 min)	Understanding Cellular Functions - Develop models to describe how parts of cells contribute to the function of the cell as a whole, using hands-on activities and visual aids (45 min)	Body Systems Analysis - Use arguments supported by evidence to explore how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells (45 min)	Introduction to Chemical Reactions in Digestion - Conduct experiments to analyze how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and energy release (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Paper prototype of the digital app, showcasing initial design and key features.
Preparation	1. Arrange a visit from a local tech startup representative for the workshop on user interface design. 2. Prepare materials for cell observation, including microscopes, slides, and prepared cell samples. 3. Gather resources for creating cell models, such as clay, beads, and other craft materials. 4. Provide materials for paper prototyping, including large sheets of paper, markers, and stencils for app design.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Food and Cells Connection Exploration - Investigate how different foods impact cells using multimedia resources and class discussions to understand cellular functions (45 min)	Chemical Reaction Demonstration - Conduct a hands-on experiment to illustrate how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules (30 min) Reflection and Discussion - Facilitate a class discussion to reflect on the experiment, reinforcing the connection between food, cells, and energy (15 min)	Sensory Receptors Investigation - Gather and synthesize information on how sensory receptors respond to food stimuli and send messages to the brain (45 min)	App Wireframe Design - Begin designing a paper prototype or wireframe of the tracking app, focusing on user interface elements and functionality (30 min) Feedback Session - Share initial wireframes with peers for feedback and suggestions (15 min)	Refine Wireframe - Refine app wireframes based on feedback, ensuring the design effectively tracks food intake and demonstrates its effects on body systems (45 min)
Deliverables	1. A detailed model of a cell showing energy conversion processes 2. Wireframes of the app prototype with annotated user interface designs 3. Sketches and diagrams from the digestion experiment
Preparation	1. Gather materials for digestion experiments (e.g., bread, soda, vinegar, plastic bags) 2. Prepare craft supplies for model building (e.g., clay, colored paper, markers) 3. Coordinate with the local tech startup for collaboration sessions 4. Provide templates for wireframe creation and feedback sheets 5. Access to digital tools for wireframe development (e.g., tablets or computers)

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Finalizing Wireframes - Students refine their app wireframes with a focus on enhancing user interface design and functionality (45 min)	App Development Basics - Introduce students to basic coding concepts and tools needed for app development, facilitated by the local tech startup (45 min)	Coding Workshop - Engage students in a hands-on coding session to start developing the main features of their tracking app (45 min)	Coding and Testing - Continue coding the app and conduct peer testing to gather feedback on usability and functionality (45 min)	Functionality Review - Students review and refine the app's functionalities based on peer feedback and ensure alignment with project goals (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed wireframes of the digital app outlining its main features and user interface design. 2. A paper prototype of the app, showcasing the interactive elements and user journey.
Preparation	1. Secure access to online tools for creating digital wireframes, such as Figma or Sketch. 2. Coordinate with the local tech startup to schedule a virtual workshop on user interface design. 3. Gather materials for paper prototyping, including large sheets of paper, markers, scissors, and adhesives. 4. Prepare a rubric for peer review, focusing on criteria such as clarity, usability, and educational value of the app.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Coding and Integration - Complete coding the tracking app, ensuring all features are functional and integrated (45 min)	User Interface Refinement - Polish the app's user interface based on feedback, focusing on design and usability (30 min) App Testing and Debugging - Conduct thorough testing to identify and fix any bugs or issues (15 min)	Peer Review Session - Share the app with peers for detailed feedback on usability and educational value (25 min) Feedback Implementation - Incorporate peer feedback to enhance app design and functionality (20 min)	Final App Presentation Preparation - Prepare presentations to showcase the app's features and educational impact (30 min) Rehearsal and Refinement - Practice presentations and refine based on rehearsal feedback (15 min)	App Exhibition and Demonstration - Present the final app to an audience including peers, teachers, and tech startup mentors, demonstrating its features and educational purpose (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Finalized digital app prototype that tracks food intake and demonstrates its effects on body systems. 2. Presentation showcasing the app, including scientific explanations and evidence from experiments.
Preparation	1. Ensure access to computers or tablets with app development software installed. 2. Coordinate with the local tech startup to schedule mentor visits and support sessions. 3. Gather materials for scientific models and visual aids for presentations. 4. Prepare a rubric for assessing the app's design, functionality, and scientific accuracy.

Remixed from Food Quest: Energize Your Cells!