The purpose of this project is to engage students in understanding the impact of human activities on the environment and inspire actionable change within their community. By exploring real-world issues like pollution, trash, and climate change, students will ask questions to clarify evidence of factors causing the rise in global temperatures over the past century. Through hands-on activities and collaboration with community partners, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to create practical solutions that promote sustainable living. This project aims to foster a sense of responsibility and encourage students to be proactive in making healthier and more sustainable choices.
Learning goals
Students will investigate the impact of human activities on the environment, focusing on pollution, waste management, and climate change, while asking questions to clarify evidence of factors causing the rise in global temperatures over the past century. They will develop critical thinking skills by analyzing personal waste production and exploring sustainable practices. Through collaboration with community partners like "I Love A Clean San Diego," students will engage in real-world problem-solving to propose actionable solutions. The project will enhance communication skills as students present their findings and solutions to an audience, fostering a sense of responsibility and community engagement.
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 - MS-ESS3-5: Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
Products
Throughout the project, students will create a personal waste audit chart, documenting the types and amounts of trash they generate and identifying patterns. They will then design a practical, creative solution to reduce waste, such as a reusable product prototype or a community awareness campaign. By the end of the project, students will compile their findings and solutions into a multimedia presentation for the exhibition, showcasing their understanding and commitment to sustainable practices. Additionally, students will develop questions and gather evidence to clarify the factors contributing to the rise in global temperatures, integrating this analysis into their final presentations.
Launch
Students will initiate the project by collecting all the trash they generate over four days, from Monday to Thursday. On Friday, they will sort and analyze the collected waste to understand their personal impact on the environment. During the analysis, students will ask questions to clarify evidence of factors contributing to waste and relate these to broader issues like the rise in global temperatures over the past century. This activity will serve as a catalyst for identifying patterns in waste production and brainstorming actionable strategies to reduce their ecological footprint. Through this hands-on experience, students will develop a deeper awareness of their consumption habits and set the stage for exploring broader environmental issues.
Exhibition
Students will organize a community exhibition day where they present their projects on sustainable solutions to the issues they've identified, addressing factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures. Each student will create an interactive display that includes their research findings, proposed solutions, and a practical demonstration or model. The event will be held in partnership with "I Love A Clean San Diego," allowing students to engage with community experts and receive feedback. Parents, peers, and local community members will be invited to participate, encouraging dialogue and collaboration on sustainable practices.
