Designing a Web-Based Food Justice and Photosynthesis Science Inquiry Unit With a Research Practice Partnership

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Division C - Section 1d: Science Roundtable Session (Table 12)

Abstract

Combining Justice-Centered Science Pedagogy (JCSP) and the Knowledge Integration (KI) framework, our research-practice partnership applied design-based research methods to design a web-based inquiry unit linking food justice with photosynthesis and ecosystems. We collected data from design artifacts, teacher interviews, and classroom observations with one teacher and 83 students. KI and JCSP-based activities and facilitation provided progress toward addressing design dilemmas of eliciting critical consciousness, designing appropriate complexity in science and social justice, and facilitating students to take actions. The unit helped students make changes and discuss complex social justice science issues, like how school gardens can create access to fresh produce for predominantly communities of color in Oakland that have few grocery stores due to redlining and discriminatory policies.

Author

• Weiying Li, University of California - Berkeley