Tackling the Wicked Problem of Global Food Security: Engaging Undergraduates Through ArcGIS Online

Abstract

Food security is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet. With this in mind, three professors from different disciplinary backgrounds, cultural geography, geosciences, and science education, created a 3-week module, The Wicked Problem of Global Food Security, collaboratively through the InTeGrate project. The interdisciplinary module has six 90 min units, is designed for introductory courses for non-geoscience majors, and can be used in online and face-to-face venues. In the first three units, students learn about Earth system science and explore factors that cause food insecurity (including climate, socioeconomic, and physical) through readings, lectures, and geospatial analysis using ArcGIS Online (AGO). The module culminates in the last three units (4, 5, and 6) with a small research project on food security in three localities: urban New York City, rural Nebraska, and developing islands in the Caribbean. AGO web maps with environmental and social datasets were created for each locality that students used in their final projects. The module was piloted in three courses: (1) an online introductory environmental science course, (2) an introductory course in urban sustainability, and (3) an introductory course in world region geography. Students were given pre- and post-course surveys to assess habits, academic and career interests, and possible impacts the materials may have had on the students. Students showed slightly increased awareness of environmental concerns and changing personal habits that promote sustainability. Many students commented on how much they enjoyed the module and were pleased at the ease-of-use of AGO.