CP: Superfood MEGA Factory: How Spirulina is Made

Class Plans
Featured Image

Set the Scene:

Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of spirulina production. Please consider the following:

  • Have you ever heard of spirulina or tried it in any food or supplement?
  • What do you think makes a food a “superfood,” and do you think spirulina fits this description?
  • Can you think of any other foods or products that are made from algae or similar organisms?
  • How do you think the production process of spirulina might be similar to or different from other food products you’re familiar with?
  • What do you think are some potential benefits or drawbacks of consuming spirulina or using it as a dietary supplement?

Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:

Take a look at the featured image and consider the following questions:

  • What do you see in the image, and what do you think it represents in the context of spirulina production?
  • What do you think this activity will be about based on this image, and what might you learn from it?

Introduction:

Please read the introduction to the activity, which provides an overview of spirulina’s popularity and its production process.

Video Engagement:

Watch the video associated with the activity, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKu3c9P_cLc. Pause the video at the following strategic points and consider the questions:

  1. Pause at 2:00 minutes: What is the main difference between open ponds and photobioreactors in spirulina cultivation? How might this affect the final product?
  2. Pause at 5:00 minutes: What is the purpose of centrifugation in the harvesting process, and how does it contribute to the overall production of spirulina?
  3. Pause at 8:00 minutes: How does the dehydration process affect the quality and shelf life of the spirulina, and what are some potential challenges in this step?

For more information and context, you can visit the original post at https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/superfood-mega-factory-how-spirulina-is-made/.

Key Vocabulary and Grammar Focus:

Review the key vocabulary related to spirulina production, including terms like photobioreactors, centrifugation, and dehydration. Consider how these terms are used in the context of the activity and how they might be applied in other situations.

Grammar Focus:

The present simple and present continuous tenses are used to describe processes and actions in the context of spirulina production. Complete the grammar quiz to practice using these tenses correctly:

  1. Spirulina ____________________ in controlled environments, such as open ponds or closed photobioreactors.
  2. The demand for spirulina ____________________ , and numerous companies are stepping up their production.
  3. Companies worldwide ____________________ 3,000 tons of spirulina annually to meet the soaring demand.
  4. Spirulina ____________________ using filtration systems or centrifugation to separate the biomass from the culture medium.
  5. The finished product, rich in antioxidants and minerals, ____________________ after a tiring and tedious process of dehydration.

Check your answers with the provided answer key.