چکیده (انگلیسی):

Student engagement in higher education is important. Some professional healthcare programs,
however, can become quite focused and competitive, limiting the potential for positive student
engagement and for students to see how their field of study fits within larger systems. Food system
assessments are an ideal way to see the interconnectedness of all parts of a food cycle for a city or
region. This case study describes food system assessments conducted by 165 undergraduate
students in their first year of a Food and Nutritional Sciences program. Using collaborative,
problem-based learning and a photovoice approach, the goal was to help students appreciate the
entire food cycle, not just the consumption aspect that dominates much of nutrition education and
practice. Students gleaned information about food production, processing, distribution, and waste
from their site visits. They also calculated the food miles and CO 2 emissions for two foods
purchased in their assigned neighborhood. With their final reports, students submitted electronic
versions of photographs, which were viewed and discussed during in-class focus groups. The
potential for home/community food production prompted the most discussion. While logistics and
collaborative learning presented some challenges, this participatory and reflective learning
experience promoted positive student engagement among students in higher education. Educators
in other university programs may consider enhancing their curricula by assigning collaborative
food system assessment projects.