From Farm to Design: Exploring Sustainability Through Inquiry
How do human choices impact the sustainability of food systems? This was the central question guiding our Grade 5 students as they embarked on an exciting field trip to a local chicken farm—a culminating experience in their inquiry into raising chickens. But this wasn’t just about observing farm life; it was about investigating, experimenting, and applying learning to real-world challenges.
A Hands-On Learning Experience
From the moment they arrived, students transformed into inquirers and problem-solvers, using Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills to deepen their understanding of sustainable chicken farming. Instead of passively receiving information, they took an active role in exploring, questioning, and experimenting.
Observing & Researching: Students examined the chickens' living conditions, considering essential questions like:
What do chickens need to thrive?
How does sustainable farming differ from industrial farming?
How do farmers ensure chickens are raised ethically and responsibly?
Experimenting with Nutrition: One of the highlights was creating herbal chicken feed. Students mixed ingredients like red pepper flakes and fresh leaves, exploring how diet impacts chickens' health and growth. Through this process, they practiced thinking and research skills, analyzing the effects of natural supplements and sustainable feeding practices.
Harvesting & Feeding: Students also got the opportunity to collect eggs and feed the chickens, gaining firsthand insight into food production cycles and responsible farming methods.
From Inquiry to Action: Designing Sustainable Chicken Coops
Before the trip, students had designed their own chicken coops, using their knowledge of sustainable farming, animal welfare, and resource management. The farm visit provided a real-world connection to their designs—allowing them to compare their models to actual chicken habitats and reflect on improvements.
Through this process, students applied key ATL skills:
Thinking skills: Evaluating the effectiveness of their designs and comparing them to real-world farming structures.
Research skills: Gathering information from the farm and using it to refine their understanding.
Communication skills: Discussing their designs and asking insightful questions to the farm staff.
Self-management skills: Taking responsibility for their learning and reflecting on their findings.
Reflection: What’s Next?
This experience helped students see themselves as changemakers—young designers and thinkers who can contribute to a more sustainable future. As they reflected on their learning, some raised new questions:
How can we improve our chicken coop designs using what we observed?
What other factors (weather, predators, food sources) should we consider in sustainable farming?
How can we take action in our own communities to support ethical food choices?
By combining inquiry, action, and reflection, students moved beyond the classroom and into the real world, applying sustainable thinking to their projects. This field trip wasn’t just an extension of their learning—it was a powerful reminder that their ideas and actions can make a difference.
Big Idea: When students ask meaningful questions, experiment with real-world solutions, and take action, they develop the skills to shape a more sustainable future.
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