10th Grade
Project
3 weeks
Eco-City: Nature's Urban Revival
HS.G.2
HS.G.3
PG.4
1-pager
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to engage 10th-grade students in exploring the dynamic relationship between urban environments and natural spaces through hands-on experiences and community collaboration. Students will investigate how integrating natural areas into urban settings can enhance environmental health and community well-being, while also addressing the challenges and benefits of such integration. By developing and presenting community proposals, students will apply geographic principles to real-world scenarios, fostering deeper understanding and critical thinking about human-environment interactions.
Learning goals
Students will explore the dynamic relationship between urban development and natural spaces, examining how these interactions influence community well-being and environmental health. They will investigate geographic variables and human-environment interactions, focusing on conservation strategies and the integration of nature into urban settings. Through this project, students will develop critical thinking and communication skills by designing and presenting proposals for enhancing urban natural spaces, considering both benefits and challenges.
Standards
- HS.G.2 - Make connections among geographic variables that influence the interactions of people, places, and environments.
- HS.G.3 - Investigate patterns of the interconnected nature of the world, its people, and places.
- PG.4 - Examine the characteristics of places and regions, and the changing nature among geographic and human interactions.
Products
Students will create a multimedia presentation that showcases their community proposal, integrating visuals, maps, and data to illustrate strategies for urban-nature integration. They will also produce reflective journals documenting their observations and insights from the field trip. Additionally, students will develop proposal sketches and artistic interpretations of urban-nature integration to be displayed in the Community Vision Board Gallery. These products will be shared with city officials and community members to foster dialogue and feedback.
Launch
Begin the project with a guided mindfulness walk around the school grounds, encouraging students to observe and journal their sensory experiences and emotional responses to the natural and built environment. Facilitate a group discussion afterward, where students share their reflections and consider how these experiences relate to urban-nature integration. This activity sets the stage for exploring how natural spaces can enhance urban living and community well-being, aligning with the project's essential question.
Exhibition
Host a 'Community Vision Board Gallery' event where students present their multimedia community proposals on urban-nature integration. Each student will display their reflective journals, proposal sketches, and artistic interpretations, inviting community members, including city officials, to engage with their work. The gallery will serve as an interactive space for dialogue, allowing attendees to leave feedback and discuss the potential impact of integrating natural spaces in urban environments. This exhibition will not only showcase students' learning but also foster community involvement and awareness of environmental geography issues.
Plan
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Project Launch: Mindfulness Walk - Students engage in a guided mindfulness walk around the school grounds, journaling their sensory experiences and emotional responses to the natural and built environment, setting the stage for exploring urban-nature integration (30 min)
Group Discussion: Reflections on Urban-Nature Experiences - Facilitate a class discussion where students share their journal entries and explore connections between their observations and the project's essential question (55 min)
|
Introduction to Human-Environment Interaction - Students explore core content through an interactive presentation on how human activities impact the environment and vice versa, using real-world examples (40 min)
Activity: Case Study Analysis - In small groups, students analyze case studies of cities successfully integrating natural spaces, identifying key strategies and outcomes (45 min)
|
Workshop: Understanding the Tragedy of the Commons - Students engage in a hands-on simulation to understand the Tragedy of the Commons, discussing its implications for urban natural space management (45 min)
Reflection: Journal Entry on Simulation Insights - Students write a reflective journal entry on their insights from the simulation, connecting it to urban planning challenges (40 min)
|
Guest Speaker Session: Conservation and Urban Natural Areas - City of Fort Collins Public Engagement Specialists present on conservation efforts and the importance of natural areas in urban settings (50 min)
Q&A and Reflection Discussion - Students participate in a Q&A session with the guest speaker, followed by a class discussion to reflect on key takeaways and their relevance to the project (35 min)
|
Research and Idea Generation: Urban-Nature Integration - Students conduct research on strategies for integrating natural spaces into urban areas, brainstorming initial ideas for their community proposal project (45 min)
Peer Sharing and Feedback - Students present their initial ideas to peers in small groups, receiving and providing constructive feedback to refine their proposals (40 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. Reflective journal entry documenting the mindfulness walk observations and insights.
2. Group analysis report on a selected case study of urban-nature integration, including identified benefits and challenges. |
||||
| Preparation |
1. Arrange materials for the mindfulness walk such as journals and writing tools.
2. Prepare and distribute case study materials for research activity. 3. Coordinate with community partners to finalize field trip logistics. 4. Create a question prompt guide to assist students in developing thoughtful questions for city officials. |
||||
| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Field Trip Preparation - Discuss the field trip objectives and expectations, and have students brainstorm questions for city officials about urban-nature integration (30 min)
Research Session - Students research the natural area we'll visit, focusing on its environmental and community impact, and document findings in their journals (55 min)
|
Field Trip to Natural Area - Participate in a guided tour led by city officials, focused on conservation and the benefits of urban natural spaces (85 min)
|
Reflective Journal Entry - Students write about their observations and insights from the field trip, considering the interaction between urban development and natural spaces (30 min)
Class Discussion - Facilitate a discussion on the insights gained from the field trip and how these relate to the essential question (25 min)
Proposal Outline Workshop - Guide students in drafting an outline for their community proposal, incorporating their field trip learnings (30 min)
|
Peer Review Session - Students exchange proposal outlines and provide feedback on each other's strategies for urban-nature integration (40 min)
Incorporating Feedback - Students revise their outlines based on peer feedback and begin detailing their proposal strategies (45 min)
|
Multimedia Presentation Planning - Students begin planning their multimedia presentations, selecting visuals, maps, and data to support their proposals (45 min)
Artistic Interpretation Brainstorm - Students brainstorm ideas for artistic interpretations of urban-nature integration to be included in their presentations (40 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. Revised draft of the community proposal, incorporating feedback from the peer review.
2. Mind map illustrating examples of Human-Environment Interaction. 3. List of questions for city officials to be used during the field trip. |
||||
| Preparation |
1. Gather materials for the mind-mapping activity, such as poster paper, markers, and sticky notes.
2. Prepare resources for the 'Tragedy of the Commons' simulation, including role cards and instructions. 3. Ensure access to research materials about the natural area and city conservation initiatives. 4. Create peer review guidelines and rubrics for evaluating community proposals. 5. Organize digital tools or software for creating maps and visual aids for student proposals. |
||||
| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Final Proposal Drafting - Students refine their community proposal drafts, ensuring they incorporate feedback and align with project goals (45 min)
Visuals and Data Integration - Students select and integrate visuals, maps, and relevant data into their multimedia presentations (40 min)
|
Rehearsal and Feedback Session - Students practice delivering their multimedia presentations in small groups, receiving peer feedback on clarity and engagement (50 min)
Incorporating Feedback - Students revise their presentations based on peer input to enhance effectiveness and coherence (35 min)
|
Artistic Interpretation Creation - Students create artistic interpretations of urban-nature integration to complement their proposals, using various media (45 min)
Final Presentation Preparation - Students assemble their complete presentations, ensuring all components are ready for the exhibition (40 min)
|
Mock Exhibition Setup - Students set up a mock display of their presentations and artistic works, simulating the Community Vision Board Gallery environment (40 min)
Gallery Walk and Peer Review - Students participate in a gallery walk, providing and receiving final feedback on their displays (45 min)
|
Community Vision Board Gallery - Students present their proposals, journals, and artistic interpretations to community members and city officials, engaging in dialogue and feedback (85 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. Completed multimedia presentation showcasing community proposal for urban-nature integration
2. Reflective journal entry documenting insights and feedback from the gallery event 3. Revised proposal sketches and artistic interpretations for the Community Vision Board Gallery |
||||
| Preparation |
1. Arrange necessary equipment and space for the gallery event, including projectors, computers, and display boards
2. Confirm attendance of community members and city officials for the gallery event 3. Prepare feedback forms for gallery attendees to engage with students' presentations 4. Gather resources and materials for proposal refinement, such as maps, data sets, and design software 5. Plan and organize peer review session materials, including feedback templates and guidelines for constructive critique |
||||