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As part of the Weekend of Science held at Utrecht Science Park, Rashmi Sasidharan and Harrison Awuh, with support from Melissa and Stijn, hosted an interactive and educational event aimed at raising awareness about the future of food under climate change.

"It was a long (but rewarding!) day," said Rashmi, "but thanks to our amazing team, we were able to engage so many children in meaningful discussions about plants, food, and the impact of climate change."
Children aged 8 to 13 participated in a participatory art project. After being shown scenarios of extreme climate conditions and their effects on food production, the children were encouraged to reflect on the role of plants as food and imagine creative solutions for growing crops in a changing world.

The result? Dozens of thoughtful and imaginative artworks, from heat-resistant super plants to floating farms and underground gardens. The children’s ideas reflected not only playful creativity, but also surprising insight into how food systems could adapt to environmental challenges.
This activity served as a way to teach children how food is grown, where it comes from, and how plants play a vital role in human and planetary health. When children understand the origins and value of their food, they are more likely to make healthier choices and think critically about sustainability. Exploring the many uses of plants also encourages open-mindedness toward plant-based solutions for climate adaptation.

This event was a spin-off of the SEED project, part of the Pathways to Sustainability programme at Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ. The project, titled ‘Exploring Universalities in Children’s Perceptions of Vegetables’, explores how children in the Netherlands and Benin perceive and engage with vegetables in their everyday lives and how those experiences shape their well-being.
At the heart of the SEED project is the belief that looking beyond borders adds richness and depth to how we understand food, culture, and sustainability. By exploring diverse perspectives in different parts of the world, we gain insights into shared challenges and solutions with children’s food knowledge as a common ground for conversation and learning.
This global approach highlights our interdependence and the importance of using natural resources responsibly. It also reinforces the idea that children are not just learners, but important contributors to discussions about the future of food and sustainability.

We consider the event a great success and we invite you to explore some of the children’s wonderful artwork, collected and curated by Harrison, link to pdf