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Plan
Week 1
Day 1
Day 2
Activities
Project Launch: Garden Guardians Kickoff - Participate in a scavenger hunt to learn about local plant species and discuss sustainable gardening practices with community members. (30 min)
Introduction to Biodiversity - Explore the concept of biodiversity and its importance in ecosystems through a guided discussion and interactive illustrations. (30 min)
Hands-On Planting Activity - Collaborate with community members and FTC students to plant seeds in the butterfly garden. Learn about the roles of different plants in an ecosystem. (40 min)
Garden Journal Setup - Create and personalize garden journals to document observations and reflections throughout the project. Discuss how self-directed learning will help track progress. (20 min)
Deliverables
1. Students will have planted the initial seeds in the butterfly garden, marking the start of their hands-on learning experience.
2. Completion of the scavenger hunt, with students having identified and documented various local plant species.
3. A summary of the group discussion, highlighting key insights on sustainable gardening practices.
4. Initial entries in the garden journal, capturing students' observations, reflections, and personal goals for the project.
Preparation 1. Coordinate with community partners such as One Joplin, Joplin Rotary, Eric Osen, and Empire Market to schedule participation in the kickoff event.
2. Prepare scavenger hunt materials, including plant identification cards and a map of the garden area.
3. Gather gardening tools and supplies needed for planting, such as seeds, gloves, trowels, and watering cans.
4. Set up a space for the group discussion with seating and any necessary audio-visual equipment for presentations.
5. Provide each student with a garden journal and writing materials for their reflections and documentation.
Week 2
Day 3
Day 4
Activities
Exploring Local Plant Species - Students research and identify local plant species that can be integrated into the garden. They will document their findings in their garden journals. (30 min)
Designing Garden Structures - Students brainstorm and sketch ideas for garden structures such as raised beds and compost bins. They will consider sustainable materials and practices. (30 min)
Plant Species Presentation - Students present their research findings on local plant species to their peers, highlighting the benefits of each species for the garden ecosystem. (30 min)
Hands-On Structure Building - Collaborate with community partners to begin constructing garden structures based on student designs, applying sustainable practices. (30 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed design sketches and plans for the garden enhancements, including raised beds and compost bins.
2. A list of selected local plant species for inclusion in the butterfly garden.
3. Reflective journal entries documenting the design process and insights gained from community partner interactions.
4. Feedback notes from peers and community partners after presenting initial design ideas.
5. A revised plan incorporating feedback for improving the garden structures and plant selection.
Preparation 1. Gather materials for building garden structures, including wood for raised beds, compost bins, and necessary tools.
2. Coordinate with community partners like local gardeners and FTC students to schedule their visits for expert guidance.
3. Prepare a list of local plant species to introduce to students during the garden enhancement activities.
4. Organize a workshop space with sufficient safety equipment for students to engage in construction activities.
5. Prepare digital devices or print materials for students to document their design ideas and feedback sessions.
Week 3
Day 5
Day 6
Activities
Garden Structure Construction - Work with community partners to complete the construction of garden structures such as raised beds and compost bins using sustainable materials. (30 min)
Seed Planting and Care Instructions - Plant seeds in constructed garden beds and learn about proper care techniques for optimal growth. Document these instructions in garden journals. (30 min)
Understanding Ecosystem Impact - Engage in a group discussion on how garden structures can benefit the ecosystem and promote biodiversity. Reflect on observations in garden journals. (30 min)
Design Challenge Preparation - Begin preparing for the design challenge by brainstorming innovative solutions to enhance the garden’s functionality and sustainability. Collaborate with peers and community partners for feedback. (30 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed raised garden beds, ready for planting.
2. A functioning compost bin, with students understanding the composting process.
3. A list of proposed garden enhancements, with feedback from peers and community partners.
4. Refined proposals for garden enhancements based on received feedback.
5. An assessment report detailing the effectiveness of the garden setup and suggested improvements.
Preparation 1. Gather materials for constructing raised beds, including wood, nails, and tools.
2. Acquire compost bin materials and compostable waste for demonstration.
3. Prepare guidelines and templates for the design challenge presentations.
4. Coordinate with community partners and schedule their participation in the design challenge day.
5. Set up a feedback system for critique and revision activities.
Week 4
Day 7
Day 8
Activities
Design Challenge Finalization - Work in groups to finalize your innovative solutions for enhancing the garden’s functionality and sustainability. Prepare to present your ideas to peers and community partners. (30 min)
Peer Feedback Session - Present your group’s design challenge solutions to your peers and receive constructive feedback for refinement. Document insights and possible improvements in your garden journals. (30 min)
Community Partner Feedback - Present your refined design solutions to community partners for expert feedback. Discuss potential real-world applications and improvements. (30 min)
Reflection and Journaling - Reflect on the feedback received and update your garden journals with new ideas and learnings. Consider how these insights might impact the next steps in the project. (30 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed prototype or sketch of each group's garden enhancement proposal.
2. Documented feedback from community partners and peers in garden journals.
3. Revised garden enhancement proposals incorporating feedback.
4. Detailed garden plan, including a map and selected plants, aligned with the proposed enhancements.
Preparation 1. Arrange for community partners to attend the design challenge day and feedback sessions.
2. Gather materials for prototype building, such as recycled materials, paper, markers, and drawing tools.
3. Prepare feedback forms for community partners to use during student presentations.
4. Create a basic garden planning guide to introduce students to mapping and plant selection.
5. Set up the classroom or outdoor space for group work and presentations.
Week 5
Day 9
Day 10
Activities
Garden Maintenance Workshop - Collaborate with community partners and FTC students to learn best practices for maintaining the garden. Discuss the importance of regular care in supporting biodiversity. (30 min)
Healthy Eating Exploration - Research and document the benefits of consuming fresh produce grown in the garden. Discuss how healthy eating contributes to a healthy community. (30 min)
Recipe Development Session - Brainstorm and develop recipes using ingredients from the garden. Collaborate with peers to create a 'Garden-to-Table' cookbook with healthy eating tips. (30 min)
Reflective Journaling - Reflect on personal growth and learning throughout the project. Consider how the garden and research on healthy eating have impacted understanding of community health. (30 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed design proposals for garden and greenhouse enhancements, incorporating feedback from peers and community partners.
2. Updated garden journals with reflections on the design challenge, feedback received, and revisions made to the proposals.
3. A list of evaluated and refined design solutions for maintaining biodiversity, documented in a collaborative group report.
4. A plan for next steps based on the critique and reflection session, outlining how students will implement their refined proposals in the following weeks.
Preparation 1. Arrange for the participation of community partners such as One Joplin, Joplin Rotary, Eric Osen, and Empire Market to provide feedback on student proposals.
2. Prepare materials for the 'Design Challenge Day,' including presentation tools like poster boards or digital presentation software.
3. Organize resources for students to research sustainable gardening practices and biodiversity solutions, such as books, articles, or access to online databases.
4. Set up a space for students to present their proposals and receive feedback, ensuring necessary technology and seating arrangements for community partners.
Week 6
Day 11
Day 12
Activities
Community Engagement Workshop - Collaborate with community partners to gather insights on how the garden can serve as a hub for understanding health and environmental relationships. Document ideas in journals. (30 min)
Preparation for Design Challenge Day - Begin developing presentations that showcase innovative solutions for garden enhancements. Focus on integrating feedback from previous sessions. (30 min)
Design Challenge Day - Present and showcase innovative garden enhancement solutions to community partners and peers. Receive feedback for refinement. (40 min)
Feedback Reflection - Reflect on the feedback received during the Design Challenge Day and brainstorm potential improvements. Record reflections in garden journals. (20 min)
Deliverables
1. Garden journals documenting plant species and ecosystem contributions (Kindergarten - 3rd Grade).
2. Sketches and models of proposed garden enhancements (4th Grade - 8th Grade).
3. Digital presentations on sustainable gardening practices and strategies for biodiversity (9th Grade - 12th Grade).
Preparation 1. Gather gardening tools such as trowels, watering cans, and gloves for younger students.
2. Acquire recycled materials for design challenge prototypes.
3. Prepare a list of local plant species for the scavenger hunt activity.
4. Coordinate with community partners to provide expert feedback during the design challenge.
5. Set up digital devices for older students' research and presentation activities.
Week 7
Day 13
Day 14
Activities
Collaborative Cookbook Session - Finalize the 'Garden-to-Table' cookbook by integrating feedback from peers and community partners. Ensure each recipe includes a narrative about its health benefits and origin. (30 min)
Greenhouse Care Techniques - Learn advanced techniques for maintaining greenhouse conditions, focusing on temperature regulation and pest control. Document insights in garden journals for future reference. (30 min)
Community Connections Preparation - Prepare garden areas and greenhouse for the upcoming 'Community Connections Day.' Organize stations and rehearse presentations to effectively communicate learning outcomes and future initiatives. (30 min)
Garden Reflection Roundtable - Engage in a roundtable discussion with community partners and FTC students to reflect on the project's impact on personal growth and community health. Document reflections in garden journals. (30 min)
Deliverables
1. Refined proposals for garden and greenhouse enhancements based on feedback received during the Design Challenge Day.
2. A list of proposed refinements and future initiatives for maintaining healthy community practices from the Collaborative Workshop.
3. Educational materials and presentations prepared for the community tour.
4. Reflection notes and personal growth stories organized for sharing with community members.
Preparation 1. Gather feedback forms and materials for community partners and peers to use during the Design Challenge Day.
2. Organize a space for the Collaborative Workshop and ensure all necessary materials and resources are available.
3. Prepare educational materials, such as pamphlets and digital presentations, for the community tour.
4. Set up a reflection area with seating and prompts for students to use during the Reflection Session.
Week 8
Day 15
Day 16
Activities
Final Garden Preparation - Organize and beautify the garden and greenhouse in preparation for the 'Community Connections Day.' Ensure all plants are healthy and signage is in place. (30 min)
Rehearsal for Community Connections Day - Practice presentation skills and refine personal growth stories to effectively communicate learning outcomes and future initiatives to community members. (30 min)
Community Connections Day Exhibition - Lead tours of the garden and greenhouse for community members, sharing personal growth stories and reflections on the project. Discuss future initiatives for sustaining healthy community practices. (40 min)
Final Reflection and Journaling - Reflect on the entire project journey, documenting personal growth, learning outcomes, and future goals in garden journals. Share insights in a group circle to celebrate achievements. (20 min)
Deliverables
1. Students will submit refined proposals for garden enhancements based on feedback received during the design challenge day.
2. Students will complete a final reflection piece, detailing their learning outcomes and personal growth throughout the project.
3. Students will lead a successful tour of the garden and greenhouse, showcasing their work and engaging with community members.
4. Students will contribute to a group discussion on future initiatives for sustaining healthy community practices, documenting potential projects and goals.
Preparation 1. Prepare presentation materials such as poster boards, digital slides, or models for students to use during the design challenge.
2. Arrange seating and equipment for the critique and revision session, ensuring community partners and peers have space to provide feedback.
3. Organize the garden and greenhouse tour, ensuring all features are ready for presentation to community members.
4. Coordinate with community partners to confirm their participation in the reflection event.
5. Prepare reflection prompts and questions to guide students in sharing their experiences and personal growth stories.