Contextualization

Introduction

Vitamins and minerals play a vital role in maintaining the proper functioning of our bodies. They are present in the foods we consume and have a wide range of functions, including participation in the immune system, energy production, and assistance in the formation of blood cells, bones, and teeth.

Vitamins are organic molecules that the human body cannot produce in sufficient quantities and need to be acquired through our diet. They are divided into two main groups: water-soluble vitamins (B and C) and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Each of them has specific functions, and their deficiency or excess can cause diseases.

Minerals are inorganic chemical elements that also need to be obtained from our diets. They also have various functions, including strengthening bones and teeth (such as calcium), forming blood cells (such as iron), and controlling the body's water balance (such as sodium and potassium).

Importance and Applicability

Knowledge about vitamins and minerals is essential to understand the importance of a balanced diet and its implications for our health. Talking about vitamins and minerals is a way to raise awareness about the relevance of a varied and balanced diet and the possibility of preventing diseases by using food as allies.

This knowledge is also important to understand some social issues, such as the impact of malnutrition in underprivileged communities, where food insecurity often results in vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Furthermore, this topic is very relevant today due to restrictive diets and dietary supplements that promise improvements in physical and aesthetic performance. Understanding the real effects and needs of vitamins and minerals can help deal with these issues in a critical and conscious manner.

Activity

Activity Title: "Nutritional Journey: Discovering Vitamins and Minerals"

Project Objective:

The objective of this project is to carry out a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the vitamins and minerals found in different foods. It is expected that this project will promote a greater understanding of the importance of a balanced diet and associate theory with practice.

Detailed Description:

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 people. Each group must choose a set of at least three different foods with a high concentration of specific types of vitamins or minerals. The groups should research the characteristics of these nutrients in the chosen foods, explain their functions in the human body, and the consequences of their deficiency or excess.

In addition, the groups must create a visual and creative presentation that shows the "journey" of these nutrients in the human body, from ingestion to absorption and utilization by the body. For this, they can use any available tools, such as posters, slides, infographics, videos, etc.

The groups will have one week to complete this activity, which involves research, theoretical deepening, creation of visual materials, and writing a report, requiring 2 to 4 hours of work per student.

Required Materials:

1. Internet access for research
2. Materials for creating visual presentations (paper, colored pens, slide program, video editing software, etc.)

Step by Step:

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Each group must choose three foods rich in vitamins or minerals.
3. Research the characteristics, functions, and consequences of the deficiency or excess of these nutrients.
4. Develop a visual presentation detailing the "journey" of these nutrients through the human body.
5. Write a report following the suggested topics: introduction, development, conclusions, and bibliography.

Project Deliverables:

After the practical activity, each group must submit a report containing the results of their research and the knowledge acquired, in addition to the visual presentation.

The specific deliverables for this project include:

• The report: with an introduction contextualizing the subject and the project's objective, the development explaining the theory about vitamins and minerals, detailing the chosen foods, their characteristics, functions, and effects, the methodology used to obtain the information, and the conclusion based on the collected information. Finally, the bibliography used for the project. The report should be well-structured and reviewed.

• The visual presentation: which encompasses the process of the "journey" of the nutrients from the chosen foods in the human body. This should also be well-structured and present the information clearly and engagingly.

It is important for the groups to demonstrate their technical and socio-emotional skills throughout the completion of this project. Communication, collaboration, time management, and creative thinking are essential for the effective completion of this task.