Introduction
You are part of an international student team selected to curate a collaborative booth for the upcoming International Cheese Expo, a global event that celebrates traditional cheeses and their deep cultural roots. Each team must present traditional cheeses from the countries represented in their group (Greece, Turkey, Slovakia), showcasing their production, cultural significance, economic value and marketing strategies.
Design an engaging and informative exhibition and marketing campaign that highlights the diversity of cheese-making traditions and the shared values of quality, heritage and innovation.
Task
Your mission in this WebQuest is to design an engaging and informative digital booth and campaign for the International Cheese Expo. Each international group will research one cheese and present it through a collaborative digital exhibition.
Process
Step 1: Introduction to PDO and PGI products (Food Indicators)
Food indicators are certifications or labels that reveal details about the origin, quality or production methods of food products. These indicators assist consumers in making well-informed decisions and contribute to the protection of traditional production techniques and local economies. PDO and PGI are specific types of food indicators that ensure products adhere to particular standards and are true to their origins.
PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) is a designation awarded to products that are entirely produced, processed and prepared in a designated geographical area using traditional methods. The entire production must take place in this specific region and the product should have distinct qualities or characteristics tied to that area. For instance,' Parmigiano Reggiano' cheese is a PDO product because it’s exclusively made in certain regions of Italy with traditional methods.
PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) is a label for products that are produced or processed within a specific geographical area, though not necessarily manufactured entirely in that region. The product must possess a particular quality, reputation or characteristic linked to its geographical origin. For example, 'Kalamata olives' are PGI due to their unique taste, which is influenced by the specific growing conditions in their region of Greece.
Watch the following video explaining PDO and PGI designations and reply to the question:
'What do you think is the role of PDO and PGI designations in supporting local economies?'
http://linoit.com/users/meddiet4health/canvases/PDO%20%26%20PGI%20products
https://youtu.be/r93g-SZ96wA?si=_0cC12WhlmE2YKrM
Video Summary: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13Fxz_GuR-N5DzrMA86Y2lli0wW-i6icSsYujbsk5ZSA/edit?usp=sharing
Useful link:
https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/geographical-indications-and-quality-schemes/geographical-indications-and-quality-schemes-explained_en
Step 2: Group Formation and Task Assignment
You will be divided into 4 groups (international teams). Each group will focus on different cheese:
- Group 1: Feta
- Group 2: Oštiepok
- Group 3: Graviera
- Group 4: Kars Kaşarı
Choose your group and learn about your assignment in this Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xaSZhIgv-g8jqBaCQT0ptdFjkdaHK2Hw1UsWjMuA14k/edit?usp=sharing
Step 3: Research and create a digital booth and campaign
Research the traditional cheese assigned to your group, focusing on the following aspects: a) Production Process, b) Cultural Significance, c) Economic Impact, d) Marketing & Promotion. Your group will also design a shared digital booth and campaign with the theme: "Cheese & Cultural Identity: A Taste of Greece, Turkey & Slovakia”. Add your work to the Padlet bellow. https://padlet.com/meddiet4health/pdo-pgi-products-in-eu-znoc3bkau5vit9fq
Evaluation
- WebQuest evaluation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMiV17pT3FZaII-lp9hsDVZGGWE37tjLMku_7dRsVbeKFebw/viewform?usp=sf_link
- Students evaluation: will be based on the following rubric
| Criteria | 5 - Excellent | 4 - Proficient | 3 - Satisfactory | 2 - Developing | 1 - Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Content Accuracy | Thorough, accurate research on cheese production, cultural significance, economic impact, marketing; clear understanding of PDO & PGI roles. | Accurate research with minor gaps or inaccuracies; good understanding of PDO & PGI. | Basic research with some inaccuracies or omissions; partial understanding of PDO & PGI. | Limited research; many inaccuracies; minimal understanding of PDO & PGI. | Incomplete or inaccurate research; no clear understanding of PDO & PGI. |
| Cultural Significance | Insightful explanation of the cheese’s cultural roots and its role in national identity; connects cheese to local traditions deeply. | Clear explanation of cultural roots and traditions; some connection to national identity. | Basic explanation of cultural significance; limited connection to traditions or identity. | Minimal or unclear explanation of cultural roots; weak connection to traditions. | No or incorrect explanation of cultural significance. |
| Economic Impact | Detailed analysis of the cheese’s economic value locally and internationally; explains PDO/PGI impact on economy clearly. | Good analysis with minor gaps; explains economic value and PDO/PGI influence. | Some economic information included but lacks depth or clarity; limited PDO/PGI discussion. | Very limited economic discussion; PDO/PGI impact mostly missing or unclear. | No economic impact addressed or completely inaccurate. |
| Marketing & Promotion | Innovative, clear, and effective marketing strategies presented; digital campaign is engaging and well-targeted. | Effective marketing strategies with some originality; digital campaign is clear and mostly engaging. | Basic marketing ideas presented; digital campaign is somewhat engaging but lacks creativity. | Marketing is unclear or not well developed; digital campaign is minimally engaging. | No marketing strategies or digital campaign presented. |
| Collaboration & Presentation | Seamless teamwork evident; digital booth is visually appealing, well-organized, and highly informative; excellent use of multimedia. | Good teamwork; digital booth is organized and informative with good multimedia use. | Adequate teamwork; digital booth is somewhat organized and informative; limited multimedia elements. | Poor teamwork; digital booth is disorganized or lacks informativeness; minimal multimedia. | No evidence of teamwork; digital booth incomplete or missing key elements; no multimedia used. |
Conclusion
By the end of this WebQuest, you will have explored how traditional cheeses illustrate the deep connections between food, culture and economy, recognized the role of PDO and PGI designations in preserving local traditions and supporting communities, and, most importantly, gained experience in collaborative research, digital communication and creative marketing.
Credits
Teacher Page
This WebQuest was edited by a team of teachers of 2o Esperino EPAL Acharnon (Greece) as part of the activities of the "Mediterranean Diet for Overall Health" (MedDiet4Health) Erasmus+ project (Project number: 2023-2-EL01-KA210-VET-000183592).
Participatinh in this Webquest will help students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also develop practical and transferable skills useful for future careers in food technology, health, nutrition and related fields. They strengthen research and analytical skills by investigating traditional cheeses, PDO/PGI certifications and production processes. Their digital literacy and creativity are enhanced through the design of collaborative digital booths and marketing campaigns. Working in international teams fosters collaboration, communication and intercultural competence, while presenting findings cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving and reflective skills. Additionally, students practice marketing, promotion and storytelling, learning how to convey cultural and economic value effectively.
This WebQuest reflects only the author’s views. The European Commission’s support for the production of this WebQuest does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.