Lens on Life

Calling all aspiring chefs, food enthusiasts, and wellness advocates!

Introduction

Create a personalized recipe plan tailored to your goals—whether it's healthy living, fueling for athletic performance, or sustainable eating—or dive into a project researching a popular diet. Learn the science behind nutritious meals, master cooking with fresh, homegrown herbs and sprouts, and capture stunning food photographs. Get inspired by expert cookbook authors and explore the wisdom of blue zones. Whether you're creating a mini cookbook to meet a health goal or exploring a popular diet, all students will design their own cookbook filled with recipes and vibrant photos. You’ll discover the power of fresh, homegrown ingredients and share your culinary creations while exploring the broader impact of nutrition on overall well-being.

In this expedition, we’ll explore the fascinating science of food, starting with how plants are the first to transform sunlight into usable energy through photosynthesis. We’ll then dive into how our bodies convert these plant-based nutrients into energy at the cellular level. Together, we’ll critically examine popular diets, debunk myths, and apply science to create healthy, delicious recipes. You’ll gain hands-on experience growing your own greens, cooking with fresh, homegrown ingredients, and capturing stunning photos of your meals.

Throughout the course, we’ll also explore plant growth and sustainable eating, while learning from expert cookbook authors about recipe development, food writing, and photography. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of nutrition, cooking techniques, food photography, and the joy of growing your own food—plus a cookbook of recipes to share with family, friends, and the world!

Essential Questions

• What is a cell, and how does it function?
• How does life on Earth receive and transfer energy?
• How does food become energy?
• In which diverse ways do organisms obtain, utilize, and transform energy?
• What are the common chemical processes and building blocks between all cells and why is this commonality important?
• How is photography relevant, important, or useful in other disciplines like science, business, journalism, and others?
• What are the characteristics of a good photograph?

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to independently use their learning to…

• Identify cell organelles and explain their functions.
• Distinguish between animal cells and plant cells.
• List the various macromolecules and their roles.
• Explain the process of cellular respiration and ATP production.
• Explain the process of photosynthesis and glucose production.
• Describe what a camera is and what parts compose it.
• Identify the principles of design in photography.
• Apply the principles of design and composition in photographs taken with available cameras.