All grades
Project
6 weeks
"Eco-Connections: Explore, Learn, and Thrive!"
1-pager
Purpose
This project aims to cultivate an interdisciplinary understanding of the relationships between human civilizations and their natural environments through the lens of local plant life. By engaging with the rich biodiversity of their campus and surrounding areas, students will explore historical, cultural, and biological connections, fostering a deeper appreciation for the role of flora in world civilizations. Through hands-on experiences, creative expression, and community collaboration, students will develop critical thinking and communication skills while creating meaningful, tangible products that reflect their learning journey. The exhibition will feature students sharing their wearable creations, performing music or spoken word pieces, and leading interactive activities for attendees, ensuring a dynamic and participatory celebration of their discoveries.
Learning goals
Students will develop a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between human civilizations and their natural environments by exploring the diverse flora on their campus and in their community. They will enhance their research and analytical skills through the creation of infographics and papers, while also nurturing creativity by designing jewelry that incorporates local plants. Through weekly reflections and community engagement, students will cultivate a sense of cultural appreciation and historical awareness. The learning journey culminates in a public exhibition where students share their artistic expressions and engage attendees in interactive activities, fostering a collaborative and immersive experience.
Products
Students will create unique jewelry pieces that incorporate specific plants studied during the project, reflecting their understanding of the plant's biology and cultural significance. They will also design an infographic and write a five-page paper detailing the historical and cultural context of their chosen plant. During the exhibition evening, students will present their jewelry alongside artistic performances such as music, poetry, or spoken word inspired by their learning. Each student group will also develop an interactive activity for attendees to engage with, fostering a deeper connection with the project themes.
Launch
To kick off the learning experience, students will embark on a dynamic exploration of Lyon Arboretum, followed by a guided campus walk and visit to Foster Botanical Gardens. These immersive experiences will serve as a catalyst for inquiry, allowing students to observe the diverse plant life firsthand and begin to draw connections to historical and cultural contexts. Through interactive activities led by community partners, students will engage with the essential questions, setting the stage for their project journey. The launch will culminate in students brainstorming ideas for their final exhibition, where they will plan how to share their learning and creations with the community, ensuring a collaborative and engaging experience for all participants.
Exhibition
Under the canopy of trees on campus, students will host an evening exhibition showcasing their interdisciplinary projects. Parents, community partners, and peers will be invited to experience a blend of performances including music, poetry, and spoken word inspired by the cultural and historical significance of plants studied. Students will present their infographics and papers, alongside their jewelry creations, as visual representations of their learning journey. Additionally, student groups will organize interactive activities for attendees, fostering community connections and celebrating the students' understanding of the interactions between human civilizations and their environments.
Plan
| Week 1 |
Day 1
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Day 2
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|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Project Introduction - Introduce students to the project's essential questions and objectives, highlighting the interdisciplinary connections between World Civilizations, Language Arts, Biology, and STEM (15 min)
Campus Walk - Guided exploration of the campus to observe and document different types of trees, shrubs, and grasses, noting initial observations in a field journal (35 min)
Reflection Activity: Flora Time - Students select a tree from the campus walk to focus on, sketch it, and begin journaling about its observed characteristics (30 min)
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Visit to Lyon Arboretum - Field trip to Lyon Arboretum to learn from experts about local plant biodiversity and cultural significance, engaging with interactive activities (60 min)
Essential Questions Discussion - Group discussion on observations from Lyon Arboretum visit, connecting plant life to historical and cultural contexts (20 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Reflective journal entry and sketch for Flora Time focusing on a specific tree observed during the campus walk.
2. Initial notes and observations from the Lyon Arboretum visit, focusing on connections to the essential questions. |
|
| Preparation |
1. Coordinate with Lyon Arboretum and Foster Botanical Gardens for scheduled visits, including arranging transportation and confirming guided tours with community partners.
2. Prepare guided observation worksheets that prompt students to note specific plants' features, historical uses, and cultural significance during site visits. 3. Ensure availability of sketchbooks and art supplies (pencils, erasers, colored pencils) for students to use during Flora Time reflections. 4. Compile a list of key vocabulary and concepts related to plant biology and cultural history for use during discussions and site visits. 5. Organize introductory sessions with community partners from Mānoa Heritage Center and the University of Hawaii to set context for students. |
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| Week 2 |
Day 3
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Day 4
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|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Guided Campus Walk - Students explore the diverse plant life on campus, identifying different species and recording their observations in journals to understand the biological diversity of their surroundings (30 min)
Cultural Connections - Students research and discuss the historical and cultural significance of a selected plant species on campus, using online resources and library materials to gather information (30 min)
Flora Time Reflection - Students select a tree to study in detail and begin their weekly reflections by sketching and journaling about their tree's biology and cultural connections (20 min)
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Visit to Mānoa Heritage Center - Students participate in a guided tour focusing on the cultural and historical importance of native Hawaiian plants, facilitated by community partners from the Mānoa Heritage Center (40 min)
Group Discussion - Students share insights from the Mānoa Heritage Center visit, discussing how the knowledge gained connects to the essential questions of the project (20 min)
Infographic Planning - Students begin planning their infographic by outlining key elements and deciding on the visual representation of their chosen plant's biology and cultural context (20 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. Flora Time journal entry and sketch focusing on a specific tree, including reflections on its biology and cultural connections.
2. A research outline summarizing initial findings on the history and cultural significance of the chosen plant. |
|
| Preparation |
1. Coordinate with Rick Barboza for the cultural workshop and gather materials needed for hands-on activities.
2. Prepare sketching supplies (paper, pencils) and journals for weekly reflections. 3. Collect measurement tools (rulers, graph paper) for the STEM activity. 4. Provide access to research resources, including books, online databases, and community partner materials. |
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| Week 3 |
Day 5
|
Day 6
|
|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Cultural Plant Exploration - Students conduct a detailed exploration of a plant on campus, documenting its biological characteristics and researching its historical significance using resources from the campus library and online databases (40 min)
Flora Time Reflection - Students engage in a journaling and sketching session focused on their selected tree, reflecting on its cultural connections and biological attributes while integrating new insights learned during research (40 min)
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Jewelry Design Workshop - Students brainstorm and sketch initial designs for their jewelry pieces, incorporating elements inspired by their chosen plant and considering how to reflect its cultural significance creatively (40 min)
Infographic Development - Students begin drafting their infographic by compiling research notes and deciding on the visual layout to effectively communicate their chosen plant's historical and cultural context (40 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. A detailed sketch of the jewelry design incorporating elements from native Hawaiian plants, accompanied by a brief written description of the design concept.
2. Weekly reflection journal entry and sketch focusing on the chosen tree, emphasizing both biological insights and cultural connections. |
|
| Preparation |
1. Coordinate with Mānoa Heritage Center for a guided tour and interactive activities focused on historical and cultural aspects of native Hawaiian plants.
2. Gather materials for the jewelry design workshop, including sketchpads, pencils, plant samples, and reference materials on plant biology and cultural significance. 3. Prepare reflection journal prompts to guide students in their 'Flora Time' activities, ensuring they connect biological insights with cultural narratives. |
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| Week 4 |
Day 7
|
Day 8
|
|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Campus Plant Survey - Students conduct a detailed survey of the campus plant life, documenting species diversity and ecological relationships, while considering historical and cultural connections (40 min)
Group Analysis - In small groups, students analyze collected data to identify patterns and make connections between plant biodiversity and cultural significance, preparing to integrate findings into their project work (40 min)
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Flora Time Reflection - Students engage in a focused reflection session, sketching and journaling about a selected tree, synthesizing insights from the campus plant survey and group analysis (30 min)
Infographic Refinement - Students refine their infographic drafts, incorporating new insights from their reflections and group analysis, ensuring an accurate and compelling visual narrative of their chosen plant's cultural and historical context (50 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. A detailed sketch and journal entry as part of Flora Time, focusing on a selected tree and its cultural and biological significance.
2. A draft infographic that begins to outline the chosen plant's historical and cultural context, to be developed further in the following weeks. 3. A concept sketch for the jewelry design, incorporating elements of the chosen plant and reflecting its cultural significance. |
|
| Preparation |
1. Coordinate with the Mānoa Heritage Center to arrange the guided tour and hands-on learning sessions, ensuring alignment with project goals.
2. Prepare sketchbooks and journaling materials for students' Flora Time activities, including colored pencils and plant reference guides. 3. Gather resources on effective infographic design, including examples and templates, to assist students in developing their drafts. 4. Organize materials for the jewelry design workshop, including plant samples, design tools, and cultural reference materials on jewelry symbolism. |
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| Week 5 |
Day 9
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Day 10
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|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Infographic Presentation Workshop - Students present their infographic drafts to peers for feedback, focusing on clarity and historical/cultural context (40 min)
Jewelry Design Progress - Students continue crafting their jewelry pieces, incorporating feedback to enhance cultural representation and design quality (40 min)
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Flora Time Reflection - Students engage in a reflective session, journaling and sketching their chosen tree, integrating insights from infographic feedback (30 min)
Jewelry Showcase Prep - Students prepare to showcase their jewelry designs, discussing how their pieces reflect their plant's significance and cultural connections (50 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. A completed design sketch and prototype of the jewelry piece incorporating the chosen plant.
2. Draft version of the infographic detailing the historical, cultural, and biological significance of the chosen plant. |
|
| Preparation |
1. Gather materials for jewelry making, including natural elements such as leaves, seeds, and flowers, as well as tools like wire, pliers, and clasps.
2. Coordinate with a local jewelry artist or community partner for the workshop, ensuring they have the necessary materials and space for demonstration. 3. Provide digital resources for infographic creation, including computers or tablets with graphic design software, and access to online research databases. 4. Prepare journals and sketching materials for the Flora Time reflection activity, ensuring students have access to a quiet and inspiring outdoor space on campus. 5. Facilitate access to research materials, such as books, articles, and online resources, to aid students in gathering information about their chosen plant. |
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| Week 6 |
Day 11
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Day 12
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|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Final Infographic Review - Students conduct a peer review of their infographic, focusing on historical accuracy and visual impact, making final adjustments based on feedback (40 min)
Jewelry Completion - Students finalize their jewelry pieces, ensuring that the design reflects the cultural and biological significance of their chosen plant (40 min)
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Flora Time Reflection - Students engage in a final reflective journaling and sketching session to synthesize their learning and prepare insights for the exhibition (30 min)
Exhibition Preparation - Students rehearse their performances and organize their display of infographics and jewelry, ensuring clarity and cohesion in presentation (50 min)
|
| Deliverables |
1. Completed jewelry piece incorporating specific plants
2. Infographic detailing historical and cultural context of chosen plant 3. Five-page paper on the history/cultural context of chosen plant 4. Prepared presentation for the exhibition evening |
|
| Preparation |
1. Gather jewelry-making materials such as beads, wire, tools, and plant samples
2. Ensure access to computers and software for infographic design and paper editing 3. Coordinate with community partners for exhibition support and event logistics 4. Set up exhibition space with necessary equipment for performances and displays 5. Provide journals and sketching materials for final flora time reflection |
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