After last year’s success, and aligned with this year's theme for our Community Engagement Programme, our Junior Sector students participated in two impactful Human Library events, featuring six experts from diverse food industry sectors. This immersive experience was a key component of our project-based learning approach in the Junior Sector, spearheaded by Pedagogical and Curriculum Consultant, Mr. Heathcliff Schembri.
The events brought together a remarkable panel of experts including Ms. Maire-Claire Church from Lidl Malta who discussed food waste management in supermarkets; Chef Keith Abela, who explored food industry emissions and produce standards; Emanuela De Giorgio from The Veg Box at The Farmoury who shared insights on local farming challenges and environmental impact; Emma Cutajar from the Malta Food Agency, who addressed seasonal produce and carbon footprint; Diana Miceli from Koperattivi Malta who presented food waste conversion to sustainable products in the form of the EXCEL4MED project; Jane Patton from NWAMI International Malta who explained food waste reduction and climate change mitigation; and dieticians Hollie and Laura Zammit, who promoted healthy eating habits.
Students actively engaged with these professionals, asking insightful questions and completing feedback sheets to identify food-related issues of interest. This approach will enable educators to develop a cross-curricular curriculum that empowers students to research and propose practical solutions.
By connecting students with real-world experts, we're nurturing critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and active global citizenship. Our goal is to cultivate the next generation of informed and conscious consumers.