Solarpunk Futures: Ignite, Design, Inspire!

7th, 8th Grades

Project
4 weeks

Solarpunk Futures: Ignite, Design, Inspire!

Elizabeth Melvin

Purpose

The purpose of this interdisciplinary solarpunk project is to engage 7th and 8th-grade students in designing a sustainable future through hands-on learning experiences. By integrating math, science, English, and history, students will explore renewable energy solutions, historical environmental impacts, and creative storytelling. This project aims to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills, empowering students to envision and create a solarpunk-inspired community that addresses local environmental challenges. Through partnerships with community experts, students will connect classroom learning to tangible applications, culminating in a showcase that highlights their innovative ideas and inspires environmental stewardship.

Learning goals

Students will explore the integration of scientific principles and renewable energy solutions to design a solarpunk school model. They will apply mathematical concepts to create 3D representations of a sustainable city, enhancing their spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills. Through historical analysis, students will understand the environmental impacts of past events and envision future solutions. They will also develop narrative skills by crafting solarpunk stories that inspire community engagement and environmental awareness. Overall, students will engage in interdisciplinary learning that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.G.A.1: Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, including computing actual lengths and areas from a scale drawing and reproducing a scale drawing at a different scale.
NGSS - MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

Products

Students will collaboratively design and construct a scale model of a solarpunk school using sustainable materials, incorporating renewable energy solutions like solar panels and wind turbines. They will also create an interactive digital map of a solarpunk-inspired city, showcasing features such as green spaces and sustainable transportation systems. Additionally, students will write and perform solarpunk-themed short stories that address environmental challenges and solutions. Finally, they will develop small-scale solar-powered devices or wind turbines for a hands-on renewable energy workshop, and curate an art installation visualizing the transition from historical events to a solarpunk future.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Solarpunk Exploration Day,' where students visit a local eco-friendly building or renewable energy facility. Engage them in interactive tours and workshops that highlight sustainable practices and technologies. This experience will spark curiosity and provide real-world context for their upcoming projects, setting the stage for an interdisciplinary exploration of solarpunk principles.

Exhibition

Host a vibrant 'Solarpunk Showcase: A Vision for the Future' event where students present their 3D models and solarpunk school designs to parents, community partners, and local officials, fostering an open dialogue about sustainable urban development. Simultaneously, organize a 'Solarpunk Community Festival' featuring interactive workshops led by students on renewable energy and sustainable living, alongside their project displays, creating an engaging and educational experience for all attendees. Include a storytelling segment where students perform their solarpunk-themed short stories, highlighting the environmental changes they aim to inspire.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Solarpunk Exploration Day - Visit a local eco-friendly building or renewable energy facility to spark curiosity and connect real-world applications to solarpunk principles (60 min) Introduction to Solarpunk - Discuss the concept of solarpunk, its core principles, and potential impact on communities, setting the stage for our interdisciplinary project (30 min) Essential Questions Brainstorm - Collaborate in groups to explore the essential questions and identify personal learning goals for the project (30 min)	Historical Environmental Events - Engage with guest lectures from the university's environmental science department to understand historical events that shaped our current landscape (45 min) Mapping Activity - Use maps to identify and discuss environmental changes across different regions, linking historical events to solarpunk solutions (45 min) Reflective Journaling - Begin a journaling activity documenting insights gained from historical events and their relevance to solarpunk ideas (30 min)	Solar and Wind Energy Workshop - Participate in a hands-on workshop led by a local renewable energy company to learn scientific principles of renewable energy solutions (60 min) Design Challenge Introduction - Brainstorm ideas for designing a solarpunk school that harnesses renewable energy and promotes environmental stewardship (30 min) Group Project Planning - Form groups and begin planning the solarpunk school design project, setting roles and initial tasks (30 min)	3D Modeling Basics - Attend a session with a local architect to learn about 3D modeling concepts and sustainable design principles (45 min) Math Concepts in Model Design - Apply mathematical concepts to design scale models, focusing on geometry and spatial reasoning (45 min) Collaborative Design Session - Work in groups to create preliminary sketches and plans for the 3D model of a solarpunk-inspired city (30 min)	Solarpunk Narrative Exploration - Engage with a local author to explore key elements of solarpunk narratives and begin developing story ideas (45 min) Storytelling Workshop - Participate in a storytelling workshop to enhance narrative skills and structure solarpunk-themed short stories (45 min) Reflective Journaling and Sharing - Reflect on the week's learning experiences and share insights with peers, focusing on personal growth and project development (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Complete a reflection journal entry summarizing insights from 'Solarpunk Exploration Day' and the guest lecture. 2. Initial sketches of the solarpunk-inspired city model, focusing on integrating renewable energy solutions.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local eco-friendly building or renewable energy facility for the 'Solarpunk Exploration Day' visit. 2. Select and obtain copies of a suitable solarpunk novel for class reading. 3. Schedule and confirm guest speaker from a local renewable energy company. 4. Gather materials for the hands-on workshop, including small solar panels and wind turbines. 5. Prepare resources and materials for students to begin sketching their city model designs.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Novel Exploration - Begin reading a solarpunk novel, focusing on identifying key elements of the genre and discussing initial impressions in small groups (30 min) Historical Environmental Impact - Research historical events that have shaped our current environmental landscape, using library and online resources (45 min) Renewable Energy Workshop - Participate in a hands-on workshop with a local renewable energy company to learn about solar and wind energy applications (45 min)	Solarpunk School Design - Brainstorm and sketch initial ideas for a solarpunk school design, integrating renewable energy solutions discussed in the workshop (40 min) Mathematical Concepts - Explore geometric concepts essential for creating scale models, including scale drawings and computations (40 min) Reflective Journaling - Document insights gained from the novel and historical research, focusing on how these inform solarpunk school designs (40 min)	3D Model Planning - Collaborate with a local architect to plan the layout of a solarpunk-inspired city using mathematical concepts (45 min) Guest Lecture - Attend a guest lecture by a university environmental science department on historical environmental events and challenges (45 min) Peer Discussion - Share reflections on the lecture and discuss how historical insights can inform future solarpunk solutions (30 min)	Storytelling Workshop - Work with a local author to explore the elements of a solarpunk narrative and begin drafting story ideas (45 min) Design Refinement - Revisit solarpunk school sketches and refine designs based on feedback from peers and renewable energy experts (45 min) Digital Mapping - Start creating an interactive digital map of a solarpunk-inspired city, incorporating renewable energy sources (30 min)	Collaborative Critique - Participate in small group workshops to critique and revise solarpunk school designs and city models (45 min) Narrative Development - Continue developing solarpunk stories, focusing on integrating environmental challenges and solutions (45 min) Project Progress Reflection - Reflect on the week's learning experiences and document the development of project ideas in digital portfolios (30 min)
Deliverables	1. A draft blueprint of the solarpunk-inspired city, including calculated areas for key features. 2. A timeline poster of historical environmental events, highlighting the impact on the current landscape. 3. Rough drafts of solarpunk narratives with identified key elements and environmental challenges.
Preparation	1. Secure access to the chosen solarpunk novel and prepare discussion questions. 2. Coordinate with the local architect or urban planner for a workshop session and gather materials for drafting blueprints. 3. Arrange materials and tools needed for the renewable energy workshop, including models of solar panels and wind turbines. 4. Gather research materials and organize a guest lecture with the university's environmental science department. 5. Prepare guidelines and writing prompts for the solarpunk narrative drafts.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Renewable Energy Research - Investigate different renewable energy technologies that can be integrated into solarpunk school designs, using resources from community partners (30 min) Design Revision Workshop - Collaborate in groups to refine solarpunk school designs based on feedback from community partners, focusing on energy efficiency and sustainable materials (60 min) Reflective Journaling - Document insights gained from the research and design revision process, exploring how scientific principles influence project development (30 min)	3D Model Construction - Begin constructing the 3D model of the solarpunk-inspired city using sustainable materials, applying mathematical concepts and spatial reasoning (80 min) Peer Feedback Session - Share progress on 3D models with peers, providing constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement (40 min)	Solarpunk Narrative Drafting - Develop drafts of solarpunk-themed short stories, focusing on environmental challenges and solutions, guided by narrative techniques discussed (60 min) Story Sharing Circle - Share story drafts in small groups, offering feedback on narrative elements and environmental themes (30 min) Reflective Journaling - Reflect on storytelling progress and peer feedback, considering how narratives can inspire community change (30 min)	Interactive Map Design - Start designing an interactive digital map of the solarpunk city, highlighting green spaces and renewable energy sources (60 min) Digital Skills Workshop - Learn digital tools and techniques for creating interactive maps, supported by community partners (40 min) Collaborative Mapping Session - Work in teams to integrate feedback into map designs, ensuring alignment with solarpunk principles (20 min)	Renewable Energy Device Construction - Construct small-scale solar-powered devices or wind turbines, applying scientific principles learned (60 min) Hands-On Demonstration - Prepare for renewable energy workshop by practicing demonstrations of constructed devices, anticipating community engagement (40 min) Reflective Journaling and Sharing - Reflect on the week's activities and share learning experiences with peers, focusing on personal growth and project development (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed scale models of the solarpunk school, incorporating feedback received during the guest lecture. 2. An interactive digital map showcasing the solarpunk-inspired city, developed collaboratively by student teams. 3. Draft versions of solarpunk-themed short stories, ready for peer review and further refinement.
Preparation	1. Arrange the guest lecture with the local architect or urban planner, ensuring they cover relevant sustainable design principles. 2. Prepare materials for digital map creation, including access to computers, software, and any necessary digital tools. 3. Provide resources for narrative development, such as solarpunk genre examples and story templates. 4. Set up feedback sessions with community partners, ensuring structured time for critique and revision workshops.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Design Refinement - Collaborate with peers to refine the solarpunk school and city models based on feedback and integrate additional renewable energy solutions (45 min) Story Draft Review - Conduct a peer review session to provide and receive feedback on solarpunk narratives, focusing on clarity and impact (45 min) Reflection and Goal Setting - Reflect on personal growth and set goals for final project presentations and exhibitions (30 min)	Storytelling Practice - Rehearse solarpunk story presentations with a focus on engaging delivery and audience interaction (30 min) Solarpunk School Model Assembly - Assemble the final scale models using sustainable materials, ensuring all design elements are accurately represented (60 min) Digital Map Finalization - Complete and test interactive features of the digital map of the solarpunk-inspired city, ensuring functionality and accuracy (30 min)	Exhibition Setup - Organize and prepare designated exhibition spaces for the 'Solarpunk Showcase: A Vision for the Future' event (45 min) Art Installation Completion - Finish curating the art installation that visualizes historical transformations into a solarpunk future (45 min) Renewable Energy Device Testing - Conduct final tests on small-scale solar-powered devices or wind turbines to ensure they are ready for demonstration (30 min)	Exhibition Rehearsal - Conduct a full rehearsal of the 'Solarpunk Showcase' presentations and workshops, incorporating feedback to enhance delivery (60 min) Final Touches - Apply last-minute adjustments to models, maps, and narratives to ensure readiness for the exhibition (30 min) Community Partner Coordination - Coordinate with community partners to confirm their roles and contributions during the showcase (30 min)	Solarpunk Showcase: A Vision for the Future - Host the exhibition event, presenting models, maps, stories, and installations to community members (60 min) Interactive Workshops - Lead renewable energy and sustainable living workshops for attendees, highlighting student innovations and solutions (30 min) Project Reflection and Celebration - Reflect on the project journey and celebrate achievements with peers, teachers, and community partners (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Polished scale model of the solarpunk school with all elements completed. 2. Fully functional interactive digital map of the solarpunk-inspired city. 3. Finalized version of solarpunk-themed short stories ready for performance. 4. Operational small-scale solar-powered devices or wind turbines for demonstration. 5. Completed art installation ready for exhibition.
Preparation	1. Gather and organize all necessary materials for the final touches on the scale models and digital map. 2. Ensure access to any tech equipment needed for the interactive map presentation. 3. Coordinate space and materials for the storytelling event, including seating and sound equipment. 4. Prepare workshop materials and ensure all device components are ready for assembly and demonstration. 5. Set up the exhibition space for the art installation, ensuring appropriate lighting and display stands.