1 - Introduction ~6 mins
Today you will
- choose your topic for Key Assignment 2
- build a practice report using Sam's café example
- start your own file, {{code:04_ka2_research_report}}
Warm-up
Write two short lines. First, what does your Something Real project still need facts about? Second, which other LCA module does that question fit?
For example, Sam asks what café staff must know about allergens. That fits Vocational Preparation.
2 - Key Concepts ~6 mins
A two-anchor topic helps another LCA module and also helps your Something Real project.
The report shape is an introduction, two body sections, a conclusion and a list of sources.
A named source gives the organisation, the page title and the website.
An AI line says honestly if AI helped you. Your report also needs one table or picture.
Example
Sam's placement is in a café, so Sam researches food allergens for Vocational Preparation.
3 - Lock Your KA2 Topic ~3 mins
Lock your topic
Finish these two sentences and keep them where you can see them.
This research supports [module name] because…
It helps my project because…
If you are stuck, start from the site closest to your project.
- Placement, food or safety: {{code:fsai.ie}} or {{code:safefood.net}}
- Rights, benefits or housing: {{code:citizensinformation.ie}}
- Enterprise or business rules: {{code:gov.ie}} or your Local Enterprise Office pages
- Community or health: {{code:hse.ie}}
Give a thumbs-up when both sentences are done.
On a site, write two facts in your own words and add one source line.
4 - Build the Report Shell from Sam's Plan ~14 mins
You will build a practice report on Sam's café allergen topic. It is practice only, and you will start your own file afterwards. Follow the steps in the box below and copy the text from this box when a step asks for it.
Title: Food allergen awareness for café staff in Ireland
Introduction: This report explains food allergen awareness for café staff in Ireland. It matters for Sam's Work Experience because counter staff must answer customer questions safely.
What staff need to know: Food businesses in Ireland need to be able to tell customers about the major allergens that may be in food. Staff should not guess about ingredients. They should check labels or ask the person who prepared the food. Clear allergen information protects customers and the business.
Table:
| Customer question | Safe staff response |
|---|---|
| Does this sandwich contain nuts? | I will check with the kitchen and the ingredient list before I answer. |
| Is this soup gluten free? | I will check the ingredient list and ask the kitchen before I answer. |
What this means on placement: On placement Sam will listen carefully when a customer mentions an allergy. Sam will not give a yes or no answer without checking. This also gives Sam real examples to use in the Work Experience write-up.
Conclusion: The main takeaway is that safe allergen answers come from checking, not guessing. Sam will use this habit every shift and note it in the final placement report.
Sources:
Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Allergen information for non-prepacked food, fsai.ie
safefood, Food allergens, safefood.net
Citizens Information, Food safety and hygiene, citizensinformation.ie
AI line: AI use: none
5 - Common Issues ~3 mins
Common issues
- My draft is only a list of links. Stop collecting and write full sentences under each heading.
- I saved in the wrong folder. Move the file into {{code:04_research_report}} in your Project Portfolio.
- I typed my own work into the model file. Make a new document called {{code:04_ka2_research_report}} for your own topic.
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