Science and Our Food Supply: Investigating Food Safety from Farm to Table

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MIDDLE LEVEL

BEEF BLASTERS 

MODULE 5:

 OUTBREAK AND FUTURE TECHNOLOGY 

FOOD SAFETY CONNECTION

 

Scientists are continuously looking for new technologies to make our food safe. 

TIME  

One 45-minute class period 

ACTIVITY AT A GLANCE

This activity introduces students to a unique and interesting sequence of events related 

to the nature of scientific discovery. They will explore how scientific discoveries evolve 

and often lead to unexpected outcomes. 

ADVANCE PREPARATION

Make one copy of the Beef Blasters article and questionnaire 

(see pages 89-90) for each student. 

GETTING STARTED

MATERIALS

• 

Dr. X and the Quest for Food Safety video, Module 5 — 

Outbreak and Future Technology 

INTRODUCTION

Begin this lesson by writing the term “Beef Blasters” on the 

board. Ask: What do you think of when you see this term? 

Would you eat a “Beef Blaster” burger? How about a “Beef 

Blaster” steak? 

No, it’s not a new video game or app. It’s a real process 

currently being researched to improve the safety of meat. 

You’re going to be introduced to this interesting story, and 

it has a big surprise at the end! 

PROCEDURE

1. 

Divide students into 5 “expert” teams. Then, distribute 

the Beef Blasters article with questions to each student. 

2. 

Assign each team 2 questions. Students will become the 

“experts” on these questions and share their knowledge 

with the rest of the class. 

3. 

Have all students read the article silently. Then, have 

each team discuss and write down the  answers to the 

questions. 

4. 

Have each team present their questions and answers to 

the class. 

5. 

Have a class discussion to explore all the answers. 

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