The purpose of this learning experience is to engage students in a meaningful exploration of the history and ecology of Chula Vista Bay, fostering a deeper connection to their community. By creating interpretive signage for Sweetwater Park, students will actively participate in preserving and sharing local knowledge, while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This project encourages students to reflect on their identity and place within the community, using real-world research and collaboration to produce impactful, educational displays for park visitors.
Learning goals
Students will explore the role of native flora and fauna in enhancing urban well-being and environmental health, focusing on plant adaptations and ecological cycles like carbon and nitrogen. They will investigate the historical and cultural significance of the San Diego Bay, including Kumeyaay ethnobotany, and assess the impacts of contamination, military presence, and industrial activities. Through first-person interviews and research, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, culminating in the creation of interpretive signage. The project encourages self-directed learning and academic reflection, fostering a strong sense of place and community identity.
Standards
[National Council for the Social Studies] D4.3.9-12 - Present adaptations of arguments and explanations that feature evocative ideas and perspectives on issues and topics to reach a range of audiences and venues outside the classroom using print and oral technologies (e.g., posters, essays, letters, debates, speeches, reports, and maps) and digital technologies (e.g., Internet, social media, and digital documentary).
[National Core Arts Standards] VA:Pr6.1.6a - Assess, explain, and provide evidence of how museums or other venues reflect history and values of a community.
[National Core Arts Standards] VA:Cr2.3 - People create and interact with objects, places, and design that define, shape, enhance, and empower their lives.
Competencies
Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
Products
Students will create interpretive signs that incorporate their research findings, illustrations, and narratives about the native flora and fauna of the San Diego Bay. These signs will be designed to engage park visitors, incorporating both visual and textual elements to convey the historical and ecological significance of the area. Additionally, students will develop digital presentations to accompany their physical signage, utilizing multimedia tools to broaden the reach of their message. Throughout the project, students will maintain a nature journal, which will serve as a personal record of their learning journey and a source of content for their final products.
Launch
To launch the project, organize a field trip to Sweetwater Park where students can immerse themselves in the natural environment they will be studying. Invite a Kumeyaay elder and a local park ranger to share stories and insights about the history and ecology of the area. Encourage students to begin their nature journals by sketching the landscape and noting their initial observations and questions. This experience will spark curiosity and provide a tangible connection to the project's themes.
Exhibition
Students will transform Sweetwater Park into an interactive learning trail, where they will present their interpretive signage to visitors. Each student group will be responsible for a specific station along the trail, where they will engage with the audience by sharing insights from their research and interviews. Visitors will receive a "passport" to collect stamps at each station, encouraging them to explore all the exhibits and learn about the native flora and fauna, as well as the historical and environmental significance of the area. This exhibition will be open to the community, allowing students to showcase their work and engage in meaningful dialogue with a diverse audience.
