BBSG Enquiry Week on UNSDG: No Hunger

Did you know?

90% of our daily calorie intake comes from just 15 crops.

One-third of the global population faces moderate to severe food insecurity.

Even in food-secure areas, “hidden hunger” due to nutritional imbalances persists.

The simple word "food" contains a complex global issue that encompasses diverse culinary cultures and the harsh realities of food crises.

* The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal "Zero Hunger" aims to eliminate hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030

BBSG's Enquiry Week continues our exploration of the UNSDGs this semester. Students and teachers delved into the multifaceted nature of food, uncovering the vast world behind the food industry. They also embarked on outdoor field trips to actively promote the "Zero Hunger" goal.

The Enquiry Week programme was developed by the BBSG team in collaboration with guest curriculum experts. It breaks the boundaries of traditional subjects and extends the exploration into the real world. Tailored learning experiences were designed for each grade level.

From Farm to Table

Interdisciplinary Exploration in Agriculture, Nutrition, and Reutilisation

Primary students began by examining the food they encounter daily, exploring topics such as cultivation, nutrition, and utilisation. They also learned how food moves from the farm to the table.

Key Questions

Grade 1-2: The Origin of Food

Where does your food come from?

Grade 3-4: Food Nutrition

What is a healthy diet?

How can we effectively advocate for the concept of a nutritious diet?

Grade 5: Food Reutilisation

How do you store food?

What happens to leftover food

The students participated in various activities, integrating knowledge from subjects such as Maths, Science, Chinese, and STEAM, as well as new subjects like Agriculture, Nutrition, and Economics. This interdisciplinary approach enabled them to connect their knowledge to real-world issues, sparking curiosity and a desire to learn.

*Students explored the diverse sources of hot pot ingredients, created their own menus, and shared the origins of their favourite foods

* They also focused on learning vocabulary related to the seven essential nutrients

*They observed meal preparation in the school kitchen; They analysed food costs in the school canteen and examined the relationship between food value and price

Equipped with questions and newfound knowledge, primary students ventured into the surrounding areas of Guangzhou for agricultural studies. They sowed seeds, examined beehive structures, and learned about composting. They also harvested sweet potatoes, sugarcane, and potatoes and enjoyed the process of cooking lunch over a wood fire.

Today, while cooking, we considered pairing ingredients that are rich in fats with those that are high in vitamins. For example, stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat and scrambled eggs with tomatoes are both delicious and healthy.

—— Grade 3, Emily G 

Experiences in Local Agricultural Civilisation

Our secondary students encountered greater challenges during Enquiry Week. They split into groups for a 2-3 day outdoor exploration, serving as BBSG’s “Zero Hunger” ambassadors.

One group travelled to Conghua, which is located on the Tropic of Cancer. They investigated local ecological features, farming traditions, and modern technology in the context of climate change and food security. They also examined crop cultivation, sales, supply chains, and the farm-to-table process from various perspectives, including history, geography, and culture.

* Before departing, students attended preparatory lessons on global food production and diverse culinary cultures

* They also learned about the growth cycle of winter wheat

* They gained hands-on experience with drone technology in agriculture, further exploring its impact on employment and local culture

Another group took the green train to rural northern Guangdong. They spent three days in the Danxia Mountain area. They conducted field investigations to understand local agricultural practices, the impact of government investment, and the relationship between agriculture and food safety.

For many students, this was the first experience carrying supplies and hiking equipment for three days. They trekked for six hours. The initial excitement gradually gave way to fatigue as they set up tents before sunset to prepare for the chilly nights. The outdoor experience also taught them how to manage their supplies effectively. They learned to balance the weight of their backpacks with the need for sufficient food, offering a direct lesson in “food supply and consumption.” Some students shared their philosophical insights about life with us:

"The hike would be much easier if I weren't carrying so much weight in my backpack. This is similar to life and learning: by lightening our burdens, we can reach greater heights."

—— Year 7, Eric O

Experiences in Local Agricultural Civilisation

Throughout Enquiry Week, students transcended their roles as learners and researchers. They became active advocates for food safety, healthy diets, and the “Zero Hunger” initiative. By the end of the event, they presented diverse and creative solutions to key questions, showcasing the valuable learning process beyond the outcomes.

* They came up with agricultural planning proposals to optimise farmland use

* They participated in debates on vegetarianism

* They designed posters that promoted healthy meal plates to encourage nutritious eating in the community

* Students were selling the vegetables they harvested

This week, students will share their learning outcomes from Enquiry Week with the BBSG community. In addition, those who completed the hiking challenge will receive accredited credit toward the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. This recognition honours their courage in facing challenges and encourages future engagement with real-world issues.

The conclusion of another successful Enquiry Week marks the beginning of our continued journey towards exploring the UNSDGs.

On the afternoon of 24th December, Ms. Jessie Wang, the Strategic Cooperation and Development Director at the United Nations Global Leadership and ESG Development Centre, paid a special visit to Benenden Bilingual School Guangzhou. After learning about Enquiry Week, she commented:

Learning about the 17 UNSDGs fosters well-rounded students who care for the vulnerable, share with others, and give back to society. This reflects schools’ commitment to holistic education. The BBSG Enquiry Week exemplifies hands-on and experiential learning, making it truly commendable.

Through this learning process, students developed a comprehensive knowledge system and understood global interconnections. They also cultivated inquiry skills and enhanced their critical thinking. This aligns with the initial aim of our Enquiry Week: to prepare them to tackle the unknown challenges of the future, drive positive change, and truly "Be Future World Ready."