Learning About Nutrition with “Si Gizi”
Learning about food and nutrition took on a whole new form for our children when students from Universitas Bumigora (UBG) introduced them to an interactive learning tool called “Si Gizi.” The interns, who study Computer Science, created the tool to help the children learn about the NOVA food classification system in a way that is hands-on and easy to relate to.
What made the session especially relevant was the food used in the activity. The examples were foods our children often buy from the school canteen, making it easier for them to connect what they were learning with choices they make in their everyday lives.
Understanding the NOVA System
During the session, the children were introduced to the NOVA food classification system, which groups foods according to how much they have been processed. They learned about four categories, ranging from unprocessed or minimally processed foods to ultra-processed foods.
The UBG students explained each group using familiar examples, helping the children understand the differences between them in a simple and engaging way.
Trying Out “Si Gizi”
Once they had learned about the NOVA system, the children got to try “Si Gizi,” the tool developed by the UBG students. They could scan different foods and see the classification appear on the computer.
The children were excited to take turns using the tool. Each new result brought more curiosity, with the children comparing different foods and talking about what they had discovered. What could have been a fairly technical topic quickly turned into a fun, interactive learning session.
Learning Through Everyday Choices
Because the foods used were ones the children regularly buy at the canteen, the lesson felt directly connected to their everyday lives. Rather than simply learning the names of different food categories, they could see how the foods they already know fit into the NOVA system.
This gave them a new way to think about the food choices they make each day. Understanding how foods are classified can help children become more aware of what they eat and develop healthier, more informed habits over time.
For our children, “Si Gizi” made learning about nutrition feel more like play than a classroom lesson. We appreciate the UBG students for bringing their creativity and technical skills into the learning process and giving our children a new way to explore a topic that is part of their everyday lives.
It was a great example of how technology can make learning more engaging, especially when it is connected to things children already know and enjoy.
