Through the implementation of the MedDiet4Health project we aimed to co-design and test an innovative 3-modules digital educational course focused on food, health, and sustainability by promoting the Mediterranean Diet eating pattern. Our goal was to develop scientific reflection on food related topics, raise awareness on the One Health Approach and promote responsible citizenship through values, attitudes, and behaviors aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. We also sought to equip students with the appropriate 7Cs,digital, and STEM skills to enhance their academic achievements and employability while highlighting the importance of linking general knowledge with vocational education. Moreover, we aimed to provide new insights and extra valuable conclusions for curriculum developers contributing thus to innovation in VET education, with our 80 WebQuests that included student-led activities to be implemented by using STE(A)M, Inquiry Science Based Learning and other inclussive, innovative hands on educational approaches.
The project theme has a triple dimension:a)the role of food as a foundation of the cultural identity and community continuity through values of hospitality, neighbourliness, intercultural dialogue and creativity, b)the role of a better adherence toward the Mediterranean diet for sustainability and c) a set of skills, abilities, knowledge, and practices required for a workplacement in the food system. Thus, we applied for the MedDiet4Health project to co-design a digital health educational course -flexible enough to meet different learners needs- that could be used in any field of education in order to raise awareness among students and communities about tackling climate change through grater adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, promoting both human and environmental health and to support them in developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for a healthy lifestyle and a smooth transition to further studies or/and employability in the food and health sectors, contributing to innovation in vocational education and training, as all activities were co-designed based to the MedDiet Score survey's findings and were implemented by using STE(A)M, Inquiry Science Based Learning and other innovative hands on educational approaches.