Middle School seventh grade students enrolled in the school’s Homes and Careers course turned into “foodpreneurs” as they transitioned digital food truck concepts into physical business portfolios and 3D truck models. The goal of the unit was to prepare and present a stellar meal from a food truck, keeping in mind that presentation means everything, teacher Michaela Berg explained. 

From project to plate, students combined math, art and culinary skills to design their food truck concepts, employing unique vibes for their brands, ranging from calming and healthy to chaotic and fun. Some of the brands included “Sunrise Skillet,” “Early Bird Burrito,” “Salt Stop” and “The Fravs.” Each group operated on a $15 budget and used local grocery store circulars and online websites to calculate unit costs and to manage their startup expenses. The students eventually learned that by going to different grocery stores, they were able to find what they needed and stay under budget. 

The classroom air was heavy with the delicious smells of breakfast foods as teams of students explored breakfast concepts from pancakes to mini muffins that prioritized both flavor and safety, as all the recipes were nut-free, peanut-free and sesame-free. Within a 39-minute time frame, the “foodpreneurs” used real world time management to prep, cook and plate a professional breakfast in under 25 minutes. The classroom was also transformed into Food Truck Row as staff members visited to vote on the best branding, most creative menus and overall curb appeal. 

“This project bridges the gap between classroom planning and real-world execution, emphasizing accurate measurement, kitchen safety and highlighting that math is indeed found in the real world,” Ms. Berg said.