This interdisciplinary unit is designed to align clear learning targets with content standards while ensuring high-quality assessments, both formative and summative, are integrated throughout. The purpose is to deepen students' understanding of food insecurity through real-world experiences that incorporate research, cultural exploration, and community interaction. By collaborating with local experts and peers and presenting findings in a public forum, the project emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving, enabling students to contribute meaningfully to addressing food insecurity in Elkhart and strengthening their connection to the community.

Students will develop clear learning targets aligned with content standards in areas such as social studies and cultural understanding, aiming to critically analyze food insecurity through an interdisciplinary lens. High-quality formative assessments will be embedded, letting students continuously reflect on their research findings and collaborative contributions, ensuring their understanding and application of culturally-informed solutions. By engaging in practical activities and community presentations, students will meet interdisciplinary learning goals that align with civic engagement, cultural competency, and effective communication standards, promoting a comprehensive understanding of both global and local food challenges.

Students will create a digital cookbook titled 'Cultures and Communities United', showcasing the recipes from culinary workshops alongside student narratives of cultural significance and connections to food insecurity. They will also prepare presentations summarizing their research findings for the community forum. Furthermore, students will design visual displays and interactive stations for the Global Flavors Community Night to facilitate dialogue on addressing food insecurity. Learning targets aligned with content standards will be integrated, ensuring high-quality formative assessments throughout these interdisciplinary projects.

Start the project with 'The Empathy Experience,' featuring local speakers sharing firsthand accounts of food insecurity. This engagement deepens students' emotional connections and insights into the issue. Following the session, guide students in articulating their initial thoughts and responses through structured reflection activities, identifying key learning targets related to empathy, cultural awareness, and civic engagement.

Students will host a "Global Flavors Community Night," transforming the school space into a multicultural fair. They will guide visitors through themed stations, offering tasting portions of dishes they prepared in culinary workshops, while presenting cultural dining customs and discussing innovative solutions to food insecurity. This interactive and engaging event will celebrate diversity, foster community dialogues, and allow students to exhibit their research findings and personal reflections, effectively demonstrating their growth in civic engagement and responsibility.