Audience: Elementary, middle school, and early high school students
Time Needed: 45–60 minutes
Subjects: Science, Nutrition, Environmental Studies, Global Cultures, STEM
Target Grade Levels: 4th–10th grade
Ideal For: Science units, Earth Day activities, food & nutrition week, or sustainability projects
🪲 Why Teach Students About Edible Insects?
Edible insects offer a fascinating lens to explore science, culture, and sustainability—all while challenging preconceived ideas and engaging students with something hands-on and memorable.
🌎 Real-World Relevance:
- 2+ billion people around the world eat insects as part of their regular diet.
- Insects are one of the most sustainable protein sources available, requiring far less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock.
- Introducing edible insects in schools supports curiosity, open-mindedness, and environmental responsibility.
📚 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Understand why insects are consumed as food in many cultures.
- Compare the nutritional content and environmental impact of insects vs. traditional meats.
- Discuss their own attitudes toward trying new foods.
- Engage in critical thinking and group discussion around food systems and sustainability.
🧰 Materials Needed
- Printed or digital slides showing edible insects in global cuisines
- Edible insect samples (roasted crickets, cricket protein bars, or powder) – optional
- Comparison charts: cricket vs. beef (nutrition & environmental stats)
- Student worksheets (included below)
- Whiteboard or flip chart for class discussion
- Gloves/napkins/spoons (for hygienic tasting)
- Projector or screen (if available)
📋 Step-by-Step Activity Plan
🧩 1. Warm-Up Discussion (10 minutes)
Prompt the class with a question:
“What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever tried—or would never try?”
Let students share their answers. Then introduce the concept of entomophagy (eating insects), explaining that it’s common in countries like Thailand, Mexico, Ghana, and Colombia.
Key talking points:
- Over 2,000 insect species are eaten globally.
- Insects have been part of human diets for centuries.
- It’s not “weird” everywhere—it’s just cultural.
📸 2. Visual Exploration: “Bugs Around the World” (5–10 minutes)
Show a slideshow or printed images of:
- Street food markets selling fried grasshoppers or silkworms.
- High-end dishes incorporating insect protein.
- Packaged cricket protein bars in the U.S.
Let students react. Are they surprised? Intrigued?
🧪 3. Nutritional Comparison Activity (10–15 minutes)
Distribute or display a side-by-side chart comparing:
| Food | Protein (per 100g) | Iron | B12 | Water Usage | Land Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef | 26g | High | High | VERY High | High |
| Chicken | 27g | Medium | Medium | High | Moderate |
| Crickets | 60–65g | Very High | High | Low | Minimal |
Ask students:
- What stands out most?
- Why might this matter for the future of food?
- How do insects compare to meat in terms of nutrition?
Optional Worksheet: Let students fill in a short Q&A using the chart to reinforce understanding.
♻️ 4. Group Challenge: Build a Sustainable Plate (10 minutes)
Break students into small groups and give each group a list of foods. They must “build a lunch” that is:
- High in protein
- Low in environmental impact
- Balanced and nutritious
Let them present their “plate” and explain their choices.
Encourage teams who include insects to share why they chose them!
🍽️ 5. Optional Tasting Experience (5–10 minutes)
If allowed and appropriate, offer a safe, small sample of:
- Roasted crickets or mealworms
- Cricket protein chips or bars
- A smoothie or brownie with cricket powder
Make it voluntary, fun, and hygienic.
Tip: Frame it like a science tasting experiment: “Observe the texture, aroma, flavor—record your reaction like a food scientist!”
Record votes: “Would you eat this again?”
Create a class graph to show the results!
🧠 Reflection and Discussion (5 minutes)
Ask:
- Did your opinion change from the beginning of class?
- Do you think insects could become a regular food in the U.S.?
- Why do some cultures embrace insects and others avoid them?
Bonus writing prompt (for homework or wrap-up):
“Write a paragraph about whether you think insects are the food of the future and why.”
🐛 Final Thoughts
Teaching kids about edible insects is more than just a fun classroom novelty—it’s a way to build global awareness, science literacy, and healthy food curiosity.
At EcoEat, we believe education is the key to normalizing insect protein and inspiring the next generation of sustainable eaters.