We started our unit with a classroom discussion about how big, system-level decisions have the greatest impact on our fight against climate change. As individuals, we can affect these decisions by running for office and voting when we are old enough! Another surprisingly impactful change we can make for the health of our environment as individuals at any age is through our diet.
We watched a short profile of local food producer Don Bugito and learned that though some of us might not have experience with edible insects, there are food cultures all over the world where insects have been an important source of protein for hundreds and thousands of years. Insects require far less water and energy to produce the same amount of protein as raising cattle, pigs, or chickens and produce far less waste.
In the kitchen we made strawberry pancakes using a similar recipe as the strawberry acorn pancakes the fifth graders made last year as part of our exploration of Indigenous foodways of present-day California. Instead of acorn flour, we used Don Bugito cricket flour. Don Bugito gifted us some toasted mealworms the chefs were able to try and use as a garnish if they wanted. Many of us agreed they taste like nuts and are delicious. This lesson reminds us that to combat climate change, we will need to access the wisdom and traditions of the past, apply new knowledge and new ways of being into the future, and that there will be many moments of discomfort as well as opportunities for delight and joy!
