The Garden Growth Gizmo Gala

9th Grade Project 4 weeks

The Garden Growth Gizmo Gala

Joy Klopfenstein

HS-LS1-5

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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage students in designing and cultivating a sustainable garden, integrating scientific principles of photosynthesis with practical gardening skills. Through collaboration with community partners and hands-on activities, students will explore sustainable practices and resource management, fostering a deeper understanding of ecological impact. The project culminates in a showcase where students present their work, demonstrating their learning journey and the connections between science and real-world applications.

Learning goals

Students will develop skills in spatial planning and resource management by designing and creating scale models of sustainable garden plots. They will deepen their understanding of photosynthesis and its role in energy transformation through hands-on activities and research. Students will enhance their ability to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve by engaging with community partners and peers throughout the project. They will also gain practical knowledge of plant species selection, soil health, and sustainable gardening practices, culminating in the creation of educational materials and a community event to share their findings.

Standards

HS-LS1-5 - Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.

Products

Students will create a series of educational infographics explaining photosynthesis and its role in sustainable gardening to be displayed at the Harvest Festival. They will also develop a recipe book featuring dishes made from the garden's produce, complete with nutritional information and insights into plant-based diets, to share with the community. Additionally, students will produce a collaborative video documentary capturing their garden project journey, including expert interviews and reflections on their learning experiences.

Launch

Begin with a 'Green Thumb Workshop' led by a local environmental expert, where students actively create compost bins for their gardens, learning about waste reduction and nutrient cycling. Follow this with a 'Garden Design Hackathon,' where students collaborate in teams to brainstorm and sketch initial garden layouts, integrating sustainable practices and concepts of photosynthesis. These activities will set the stage for the project, fostering creativity and practical understanding from the outset.

Exhibition

Students will organize a 'Harvest Festival' to display their garden produce, offering tastings and recipes developed during the project. They will present the science of plant growth and energy transformation through interactive displays and educational infographics. Additionally, a 'Garden Gala' will feature student presentations of their garden plots, showcasing design plans, plant selections, and sustainability practices, engaging the community in their learning journey.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Green Thumb Workshop: Participate in a hands-on session led by a local environmental expert to create compost bins for the garden. Learn about composting, waste reduction, and nutrient cycling.	Garden Design Hackathon: Work in teams to brainstorm and sketch initial garden layouts, emphasizing sustainable practices and incorporating concepts of photosynthesis.	Scale Model Creation: Begin creating scale models of the garden plots, focusing on spatial planning, plant needs, and efficient resource use.	Plant Species Research: Conduct research to identify plant species suitable for the local climate, considering factors such as sunlight, water needs, and compatibility with other plants.	Soil Health Workshop: Engage in a hands-on activity to test soil samples from the garden area for nutrient levels, learning about soil composition and health.
Deliverables	1. Initial garden layout sketches from the Garden Design Hackathon 2. List of selected plant species with reasons for selection based on research
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local environmental expert to lead the Green Thumb Workshop 2. Prepare materials for compost bin construction, such as bins, organic waste, and tools 3. Gather resources for students to use during the Garden Design Hackathon, including graph paper, rulers, and gardening design tools 4. Compile research materials and resources on local plant species and their growing conditions 5. Arrange for soil testing kits and space for the Soil Health Workshop

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Virtual Landscape Design Session: Participate in a virtual mentoring session with a local landscape architect to refine garden plans, focusing on aesthetic, functional, and ecological considerations.	Photosynthesis Exploration: Use a model to illustrate and understand how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy, applying this knowledge to optimize garden plant arrangements.	Field Trip to Farmer's Market: Visit a local farmer's market to observe and engage with vendors, learning about produce growth and sales, and gathering ideas for the garden's final product.	Composting and Resource Management Workshop: Attend a workshop co-hosted by a community-based environmental organization to learn practical composting techniques and strategies for resource management.	Garden Plan Revision: Use insights gained from the week's activities to revise and finalize garden plans, ensuring they incorporate sustainable practices and efficient space use.
Deliverables	1. Revised and detailed garden design plans incorporating feedback from the landscape architect and sustainable practices. 2. A reflective journal entry on the photosynthesis exploration activity, discussing how the concepts learned apply to their garden project.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local landscape architect for the virtual design session and prepare technology for video conferencing. 2. Prepare materials and resources for the photosynthesis exploration, including access to models and visual aids. 3. Organize logistics for the field trip to the local farmer's market, including transportation and permission slips. 4. Partner with a community-based environmental organization to co-host the composting and resource management workshop, ensuring necessary materials and space are available. 5. Provide feedback and support resources for students as they revise their garden plans based on new insights.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Garden Checkpoint: Host a day where students present their garden progress to community partners like local farmers and environmentalists for feedback on improvement and resource management.	Photosynthesis Infographic Workshop: Collaborate in groups to create educational infographics explaining photosynthesis and its role in sustainable gardening, incorporating recent insights and research.	Mid-Project Critique Session: Facilitate a structured feedback session where students present their progress to peers, receiving constructive feedback to refine their projects.	Soil and Plant Health Assessment: Conduct a hands-on assessment of the soil and plant health in the garden, making necessary adjustments to optimize growth conditions.	Digital Portfolio Development: Compile photos, sketches, and written reflections into digital portfolios, documenting the journey and learning experiences of the garden project.
Deliverables	1. Completed educational infographics on photosynthesis for display at the Harvest Festival. 2. Feedback notes and action plans from the garden checkpoint and mid-project critique sessions. 3. Updated digital portfolio entries reflecting the week's progress and learning.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with community partners to attend the garden checkpoint day, ensuring they are prepared to provide feedback. 2. Prepare materials and templates for the infographic workshop, including digital tools and visual aids. 3. Organize the mid-project critique session, providing guidelines for feedback and reflection. 4. Gather necessary tools and materials for the soil and plant health assessment, ensuring students can conduct thorough evaluations. 5. Set up a platform or software for students to create and maintain their digital portfolios, offering technical support as needed.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Harvest Festival Preparation: Collaborate as a class to set up the display areas, organize produce presentations, and prepare tasting stations for the Harvest Festival.	Garden Gala Setup: Work in teams to arrange interactive displays showcasing garden plans, sustainability practices, and educational infographics.	Collaborative Video Documentary: Edit and finalize the video documentary that captures the garden project journey, including interviews and personal reflections.	Final Reflection Circle: Engage in a reflective discussion about the project experiences, challenges, and personal growth, focusing on both academic insights and emotional development.	Digital Portfolio Completion: Finalize digital portfolios by organizing all photos, sketches, reflections, and a summary of the garden project journey.
Deliverables	1. Organized and presented Harvest Festival with produce, tastings, and educational displays. 2. Completed and exhibited digital portfolios documenting the project journey. 3. Finalized collaborative video documentary ready for exhibition.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with community members and invite them to the Harvest Festival and Garden Gala. 2. Prepare materials for setting up the festival and gala, including display boards, tables, and technology for video playback. 3. Ensure video editing software is available and functioning for students to complete their documentary. 4. Arrange a space and materials for the final reflection circle, facilitating a comfortable environment for discussion. 5. Provide support and feedback for the finalization of digital portfolios, ensuring students have access to necessary tools and resources.