"Seed Savvy: Eco Adventures & Native Tales"

High School Grade Project 4 weeks

"Seed Savvy: Eco Adventures & Native Tales"

Brandy Bixler

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Purpose

This project aims to immerse students in the study of native plants, fostering a deep understanding of their ecological and cultural significance within the community. By engaging in hands-on activities such as creating seed books and eco-dyeing, students will explore the role of native plants in biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. Through partnerships with local botanical gardens and museums, students will connect with experts and real-world conservation efforts, enhancing their learning experience. The project also encourages students to reflect on their contributions to local ecosystems, promoting a sense of responsibility and connection to their environment.

Learning goals

Students will explore the ecological and cultural significance of native plants, understanding their role in promoting biodiversity and sustaining local ecosystems. They will develop skills in research, observation, and documentation through fieldwork and hands-on activities, such as creating seed books and eco-dyeing. By collaborating with community partners, students will gain insights into conservation efforts and engage in meaningful service learning, enhancing their ability to communicate and advocate for environmental stewardship.

Standards

NGSS - HS-LS2-7: Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create personalized seed books featuring eco-dyed covers and pages made from seed paper embedded with native plant seeds. These books will include detailed descriptions and photographs of native plants, along with samples collected during field experiences. Students will also prepare and present a final exhibition of their seed books, sharing insights and stories from their reflective journals during the 'Living Library Day' event.

Launch

Kick off the project with an immersive 'Seed Paper Workshop,' where students craft their own seed paper using recycled materials and native plant seeds, setting the foundation for their seed books. Follow this with an 'Eco-Dyeing Art Session,' where students use natural dyes from local plants to create personalized book covers, exploring cultural and traditional dyeing techniques. These activities will inspire creativity and introduce students to the project's themes of sustainability and cultural heritage.

Exhibition

Plan a 'Living Library Day' at the local botanical garden, where students become 'living books' and share personal stories and insights from their reflective journals, engaging visitors in conversations about the cultural and environmental significance of native plants. Set up interactive stations where students display their seed books, complete with eco-dyed covers and plant samples, offering visitors a tactile and visual exploration of native flora. Encourage students to lead guided tours through the garden, highlighting the native plants they studied and discussing their roles in biodiversity and ecosystem restoration.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Introduction to Native Plants - Students will research and discuss the ecological and cultural significance of native plants. They will explore how these plants contribute to biodiversity and the importance of using them to restore local ecosystems.	Activity 2: Seed Paper Workshop - Students learn to create seed paper using recycled materials and native plant seeds. They will begin designing pages for their seed books, incorporating their understanding of native plants from the previous activity.	Activity 3: Eco-Dyeing Art Session - Students use natural dyes derived from local plants to eco-dye the covers of their seed books. They will explore the historical and cultural contexts of eco-dyeing practices.	Activity 4: Field Expedition Planning - Students plan a field trip to a local botanical garden or natural history museum, identifying key objectives and learning outcomes related to native plants and conservation.	Activity 5: Reflective Journaling - Students begin maintaining a reflective journal, documenting their learning experiences, challenges, and insights from the week’s activities, connecting them to the essential questions of the project.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Completed seed paper pages designed for the seed books. 2. Deliverable 2: Eco-dyed covers for the seed books. 3. Deliverable 3: Reflective journal entries summarizing the week's learnings and personal reflections.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Gather materials for seed paper making, including recycled paper and native plant seeds. 2. Prep Task 2: Source natural dye materials from local plants, or collaborate with a community partner to obtain them. 3. Prep Task 3: Arrange a guest speaker or virtual session with a local botanist to introduce the importance of native plants. 4. Prep Task 4: Coordinate with local botanical gardens or museums to schedule a field expedition and confirm logistics. 5. Prep Task 5: Provide students with journals or digital tools for documenting reflections, ensuring a structure that aligns with project goals.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Field Expedition to Botanical Garden - Students visit a local botanical garden for a guided tour focused on native plant species. They collect plant samples, take photographs, and gather information for their seed books.	Activity 2: Workshop with Conservation Expert - Host a session with a conservation expert from a local organization who discusses native plant conservation strategies and their impact on biodiversity.	Activity 3: Seed Book Assembly - Students begin assembling their seed books by organizing the seed paper pages, eco-dyed covers, and incorporating their collected plant samples and photographs.	Activity 4: Service Learning Planning - Students plan a service learning project with guidance from local conservation organizations, focusing on how they can contribute to native plant restoration or awareness in the community.	Activity 5: Reflective Journaling and Peer Discussion - Students continue their reflective journaling, focusing on their experiences at the botanical garden and insights from the expert workshop. They engage in a peer-led discussion to share reflections and brainstorm ideas for their service learning projects.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Draft layout of the seed book with initial plant samples and photographs incorporated. 2. Deliverable 2: Service learning project proposal outlining the objectives, activities, and expected impact on the local ecosystem.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Coordinate with the botanical garden for the field expedition, ensuring all logistics are in place including permissions and transportation. 2. Prep Task 2: Arrange for a conservation expert to visit the class or conduct a virtual session, providing any necessary materials or technology support. 3. Prep Task 3: Prepare materials and tools for assembling the seed books, such as binding supplies and organizational templates. 4. Prep Task 4: Contact local conservation organizations to facilitate student planning for service learning projects, providing guidance and resources as needed. 5. Prep Task 5: Facilitate a peer discussion framework, providing prompts and structure to guide student reflections and idea sharing.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Native Plant Research and Documentation - Students conduct further research on the native plants they've collected, focusing on their ecological roles and cultural significance, and document their findings in their seed books with detailed descriptions.	Activity 2: Creative Presentation Planning - Students plan creative presentations for their seed books, deciding on the format and key points they want to highlight about each plant's significance in local ecosystems.	Activity 3: Service Learning Implementation - Students begin implementing their service learning projects, working on activities such as planting native species in community spaces or creating educational materials for the public.	Activity 4: Peer Review and Feedback Session - Students share their seed book progress and service learning plans with peers to receive constructive feedback, helping them refine their ideas and presentations.	Activity 5: Reflective Journaling and Group Reflection - Students continue reflective journaling, focusing on their experiences during the service learning activities and any new insights about native plant conservation. They participate in a group reflection to discuss their impact on the community and personal growth.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Completed research entries in the seed book with detailed plant documentation. 2. Deliverable 2: Initial draft of creative presentation plan for the final exhibition. 3. Deliverable 3: Progress report on the service learning project, detailing activities completed and outcomes observed.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Provide access to research resources and tools, such as books, articles, and online databases, to support student documentation work. 2. Prep Task 2: Guide students in designing their creative presentations, offering examples and suggestions to facilitate their planning. 3. Prep Task 3: Coordinate with community partners to ensure students have the necessary support and resources for implementing their service learning projects. 4. Prep Task 4: Facilitate a peer review framework, offering strategies for providing constructive feedback and creating a supportive environment. 5. Prep Task 5: Prepare prompts and discussion questions for the group reflection session, encouraging students to explore the broader impact of their projects.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Finalize Seed Books - Students complete their seed books, ensuring all plant samples, photographs, and research entries are included and well-organized. They review their eco-dyed covers for final touches.	Activity 2: Rehearse Creative Presentations - Students rehearse their creative presentations for the final exhibition, practicing public speaking and refining their delivery to effectively communicate their findings and insights about native plants.	Activity 3: Final Service Learning Activity - Students conduct any remaining activities for their service learning projects, focusing on wrapping up initiatives and preparing impact statements to share with the community.	Activity 4: Living Library Day Preparation - Students prepare for the 'Living Library Day' event, setting up exhibition stations with their seed books and practicing their roles as 'living books' ready to engage visitors.	Activity 5: Reflective Journaling and Closing Circle - Students write final entries in their reflective journals, summarizing their learning journey. They participate in a closing circle to share key takeaways and future commitments to environmental stewardship.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Completed and polished seed books with eco-dyed covers and all necessary content. 2. Deliverable 2: Finalized creative presentations for the exhibition. 3. Deliverable 3: Comprehensive impact statement from the service learning project detailing outcomes and reflections.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Provide materials and space for students to finalize their seed books, including binding tools and art supplies for any last-minute adjustments. 2. Prep Task 2: Offer guidance and feedback during presentation rehearsals, ensuring students are prepared and confident for the exhibition. 3. Prep Task 3: Coordinate with community partners to finalize any logistical details for the service learning projects, and facilitate the collection of outcome data. 4. Prep Task 4: Arrange logistics for the 'Living Library Day' event, including setting up exhibition spaces and coordinating with the botanical garden staff. 5. Prep Task 5: Develop prompts for the closing circle, crafting questions that encourage reflection on personal growth and future actions in environmental conservation.