"Swap, Shop, and Sustain!"

12th Grade Project 3 weeks

"Swap, Shop, and Sustain!"

SUZETTE ARANIVA

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Purpose

This project engages students in examining the multifaceted impacts of consumerism and overconsumption on both local and global scales. Through hands-on activities such as creating upcycled products and participating in a flea market, students explore sustainable practices and develop solutions to reduce waste. By collaborating with community partners and reflecting on their learning journey, students gain insights into balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility, ultimately fostering a deeper understanding of their role in promoting a sustainable future.

Learning goals

Students will critically analyze the environmental and social impacts of overconsumption, using local and global case studies to inform their understanding. They will develop practical skills in sustainable design by creating and showcasing repurposed items, demonstrating innovative reuse techniques. Through community engagement and data collection, students will explore consumer behaviors and propose actionable solutions for responsible consumption. They will also enhance their communication and collaboration skills by participating in a public exhibition and engaging with community partners.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
NGSS - HS-ETS1-1: Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.

Products

Students will design and construct upcycled furniture pieces using discarded materials, demonstrating innovative design and sustainability. They will develop a line of eco-friendly fashion accessories from repurposed textiles, showcasing these creations at the flea market. Additionally, students will collaboratively create a mural using recycled materials, visually representing the impact of consumerism on the environment and society, to be displayed at the Sustainable Futures Fair.

Launch

Kick off the project with an immersive "Consumerism and Overconsumption Experience" day, where students participate in interactive stations that simulate various aspects of consumer culture, such as a mock shopping spree, a waste audit of common household items, and a role-play debate on the ethics of consumerism. This will set the stage for exploring the project's essential questions and encourage students to think critically about their own consumption habits.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Sustainable Futures Fair,' setting up interactive booths to display their flea market items, personal action plans, and creative projects made from repurposed materials. Community members will be invited to engage with the exhibits and provide feedback. Additionally, a 'Consumer Culture Art Gallery' will feature student-created art pieces from recycled materials, accompanied by digital reflections and infographics, inviting local artists and the school community to explore the intersection of consumerism and creativity.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Kick-off the project with an immersive 'Consumerism and Overconsumption Experience' day, where students engage in interactive stations simulating consumer culture aspects: a mock shopping spree, waste audit, and role-play debate on consumerism ethics.	Introduce students to the concept of overconsumption by analyzing case studies on its environmental and social impacts, focusing on local and global examples. Facilitate group discussions to share insights and draw connections to their personal experiences.	Guide students in conducting surveys and interviews within the community to gather data on consumer behaviors and attitudes. Have students analyze their findings using basic statistical analysis to identify patterns and inform their project decisions.	Organize a field trip to a community recycling center to learn about the recycling process, the importance of reducing waste, and how the flea market project can contribute to sustainability.	Host a guest speaker session with a local artist or designer who uses recycled materials, to inspire students to think creatively about repurposing items for the flea market.
Deliverables	1. Completion of surveys and analysis of community data on consumer behaviors and attitudes. 2. Group presentation summarizing findings from the case study analysis on overconsumption impacts.
Preparation	1. Set up interactive stations for the 'Consumerism and Overconsumption Experience' day. 2. Collect and prepare case study materials and resources for student analysis. 3. Coordinate logistics for the field trip to the community recycling center, including permissions and transportation. 4. Arrange for a guest speaker session with a local artist or designer, ensuring alignment with project goals. 5. Prepare survey templates and data analysis tools for students to use in their community research.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Collaborate in groups to develop innovative designs for upcycled furniture pieces using discarded materials. Encourage students to sketch their ideas and plan the construction process.	Introduce the concept of eco-friendly fashion. Guide students in designing a line of eco-friendly fashion accessories using repurposed textiles, emphasizing sustainable fashion practices.	Conduct a community field trip to gather materials for upcycling projects and gain insights on material sourcing and sustainability challenges.	Facilitate a workshop on sustainable design principles and innovative reuse techniques, incorporating feedback from the previous week's guest speaker session.	Host a peer review session where students present their initial designs and receive constructive feedback using a digital platform, fostering iterative improvement.
Deliverables	1. Submission of detailed sketches and plans for upcycled furniture and fashion accessories, including materials list and sustainability considerations. 2. Completion of a peer-reviewed design proposal that incorporates feedback and outlines the final approach for creating upcycled items.
Preparation	1. Gather and provide a variety of discarded materials and textiles for students to use in their projects. 2. Coordinate logistics for the community field trip, including permissions, transportation, and collaboration with local businesses or recycling centers. 3. Arrange for a workshop facilitator or provide resources on sustainable design principles and innovative reuse techniques. 4. Set up a digital platform for peer review feedback, ensuring accessibility for all students. 5. Create guidelines and assessment rubrics for design sketches and proposals, aligning with project learning goals.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Conduct a gallery walk where students present their flea market items and personal reflections on the process of selecting and repurposing these items. Facilitate peer feedback and shared learning.	Guide students in the creation of a video documentary highlighting the lifecycle of a selected product, its environmental and social impacts, and proposing sustainable alternatives.	Organize a 'Sustainable Futures Fair' where students set up interactive booths to display their flea market items, personal action plans, and creative projects using repurposed materials.	Host a 'Consumer Culture Art Gallery' featuring student-created art pieces from recycled materials, along with digital reflections and infographics, inviting local artists and community members.	Facilitate a reflection session using a digital platform where students post multimedia reflections, such as videos or infographics, capturing their journey through the project and their thoughts on balancing economic growth with sustainability.
Deliverables	1. Completed video documentary showcasing the lifecycle of a product and proposing sustainable alternatives. 2. Interactive booth setup at the 'Sustainable Futures Fair' with flea market items and creative projects. 3. Submission of personal action plans for reducing overconsumption. 4. Digital reflection board entry with multimedia reflections capturing the project journey.
Preparation	1. Prepare and organize materials and space for the gallery walk and ensure students understand the feedback process. 2. Provide video editing tools and resources for students to create their video documentaries. 3. Coordinate logistics for the 'Sustainable Futures Fair,' including invitations to community members and local artists. 4. Set up the 'Consumer Culture Art Gallery' space and ensure all student art pieces are displayed effectively. 5. Create a digital platform for multimedia reflections and ensure all students have access and understand how to use it.