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The Food for Thought app was created by an interdisciplinary research team, CoLearnLab, in the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign's College of Education. The app was originally created as a research project, for 55" multi touch tables. After research and interest from the public, the large multi touch design was formatted into an iPad app. Keeping the same functionality as the large scaled version, the app allows students to learn about their environmentally footprint in terms of the food they eat. 

OUR TEAM

Director, CoLearnLab
Assistant Professor

Curriculum and Instruction

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Graphic Designer

Research Assistant 

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Susan Kelly

Content Specialist 

Research Assistant 

Kelly Cole

Developer 

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Software development of the iPad app was conducted by AITS

Food for Thought in the News

Asparagus or Broccoli? Food for Thought

Smile Politely |  May 23, 2017

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New computer app encourages kids to choose eco-friendly meals

Business Standard  |  May 23, 2016 

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Healthy Eating App Teaches Students Climate Change

Big Think  |  May 20, 2016

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App Shows Kids How Their Dinner Affects the Planet

Take Apart  |  June 5, 2016

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App calculates meals carbon footprint

Queminova  |  June 6, 2016

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Illini app gives kids something to chew over  

The Big Ten Network  |  May 22, 2016

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Computer app whets children's appetites for eco-friendly meals

Psyh Org  |  May 19, 2016

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New app shows kids how their meal will affect the environment

Consumer Affairs  |  May 27, 2016

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This App Tells Kids Exactly How Their Meals Affect the Planet

Lady Freethinker  |  December 12, 2016

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App Encourages Kids to Pick Eco-Friendly Meals

Pune Mirro  |  May 24, 2016

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Soon, an app that whets kids’ appetites for eco-friendly meals

The Free Press Journal  |  May 23, 2016

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Soon, an app that whets kids’ appetites for eco-friendly meals

The Siasat  |  May 24, 2016

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Nutrition: App That Lets Kids See Environmental Impact Of Their Food Choices Being Developed

Parent Herald  |  May 24, 2016

Contact Us

CoLearnLab.org 

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foodforthoughtapp@gmail.com

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Located in

The Illinois Digital Ecologies and Learning Lab

​College of Education 

University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana

About CoLearnLab

The Collaborative Learning Lab was established by Dr. Emma Mercier to study collaborative learning and technology in classroom settings. We focus on both the students’ and teachers’ experiences during collaborative learning, seeking to understand more about how this form of pedagogy can be more effectively implemented in classrooms for all students.


Our research spans age ranges and disciplinary areas, including engineering, math, science and social science topics across K-12 and higher education.  We are interested in the use of device ecologies in classrooms, with much of our current research focused on interactive surfaces and multi-touch technology..

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