Question
Students will launch their investigation into how food fuels their bodies by examining real school lunch examples, generating focused wonderings, and developing a clear, investigable question with a simple hypothesis that will guide their data collection in later phases.
Days 1 - 2
Design
Students will design a clear, step-by-step investigation plan to answer their healthy lunch research question by selecting an appropriate method, identifying what to measure, and planning how to collect high-quality data before beginning Phase 3.
Days 3 - 5
Collect
Students will systematically gather and document high-quality data about how different foods help fuel their bodies by conducting a second observation round and organizing complete, labeled data records that prepare them for analysis.
Days 6 - 8
Analyze
Students will interpret their investigation data about healthy lunches by creating visual models, identifying patterns and surprises, discussing multiple interpretations with peers, and drafting preliminary findings that connect evidence back to their research question and hypothesis.
Days 9 - 12
Conclude
Students will draw evidence-based conclusions from their nutrition investigations, clearly explain what their data does and does not show, identify limitations and new questions, and present their full investigation process to classmates, families, cafeteria workers, and the principal at the Healthy Lunch Expo.
Days 13 - 15