"Bears & Bins: Berkshire's Balanced Coexistence"

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Phase	Discover Examine Engineer Do Share
Activities	Introduction to the Bear Issue - Students will engage in a discussion and watch a short video to understand the bear-human interaction problems in Southern Berkshire. Learning Target: Identify the bear issue and human behaviors contributing to it. (15 min) Interactive Map Exploration - Using a digital map, students will explore bear sightings and incidents in the Southern Berkshire region, discussing patterns and causes. Learning Target: Recognize geographical patterns of bear interactions. (15 min)	Inquiry Questions Development - Students will brainstorm and develop questions for further investigation about the bear issue, focusing on human contributions to the problem. Learning Target: Formulate questions that guide research on bear interactions. (15 min) Data Analysis Workshop - Students will analyze data related to unsecured trash and bear interactions, identifying key statistics and trends. Learning Target: Utilize data to understand the impact of human behavior on wildlife. (15 min)	Policy Proposal Brainstorming - In small groups, students will brainstorm potential policy ideas to reduce bear-human interactions, considering the roles of local government. Learning Target: Generate innovative policy solutions. (15 min) Exemplar Exploration - Students will review examples of effective persuasive letters and public policy proposals, identifying key components and techniques. Learning Target: Analyze successful writing strategies. (15 min)	Peer Review and Feedback - Students will share their letter drafts with peers for feedback, focusing on clarity, argument strength, and evidence. Learning Target: Use feedback to refine persuasive writing. (15 min) Drafting Persuasive Arguments - Students will begin outlining their persuasive letter to a local legislator, focusing on clear arguments and supporting evidence. Learning Target: Craft arguments using evidence and community insights. (15 min)	Final Draft and Submission - Students will finalize their persuasive letter to the legislator, ensuring it communicates urgency and actionable solutions. Learning Target: Produce a polished persuasive letter. (15 min) Growth Reflection and Sharing - Students will reflect on their learning journey and share insights with peers and community members, highlighting personal growth and project impact. Learning Target: Reflect on learning and articulate project outcomes. (15 min)
Deliverables	Description of the Challenge	Inquiry Questions Development Solution Proposal Brief	Exemplar Exploration and Inspiration	Persuasive letter to legislator	Growth Reflection
Preparation	1. Gather materials for interactive discussion, including a short documentary and discussion prompts. 2. Curate online resources and data on bear behavior from local wildlife organizations. 3. Prepare materials for role-play activity, including scripts and role descriptions for different government roles. 4. Provide students with templates and guidelines for writing a persuasive letter. 5. Set up a peer review system for students to exchange and provide feedback on letters.

Phase

Discover

Examine

Engineer

Do

Share

Activities

Introduction to the Bear Issue - Students will engage in a discussion and watch a short video to understand the bear-human interaction problems in Southern Berkshire. Learning Target: Identify the bear issue and human behaviors contributing to it. (15 min)

Interactive Map Exploration - Using a digital map, students will explore bear sightings and incidents in the Southern Berkshire region, discussing patterns and causes. Learning Target: Recognize geographical patterns of bear interactions. (15 min)

Inquiry Questions Development - Students will brainstorm and develop questions for further investigation about the bear issue, focusing on human contributions to the problem. Learning Target: Formulate questions that guide research on bear interactions. (15 min)

Data Analysis Workshop - Students will analyze data related to unsecured trash and bear interactions, identifying key statistics and trends. Learning Target: Utilize data to understand the impact of human behavior on wildlife. (15 min)

Policy Proposal Brainstorming - In small groups, students will brainstorm potential policy ideas to reduce bear-human interactions, considering the roles of local government. Learning Target: Generate innovative policy solutions. (15 min)

Exemplar Exploration - Students will review examples of effective persuasive letters and public policy proposals, identifying key components and techniques. Learning Target: Analyze successful writing strategies. (15 min)

Peer Review and Feedback - Students will share their letter drafts with peers for feedback, focusing on clarity, argument strength, and evidence. Learning Target: Use feedback to refine persuasive writing. (15 min)

Drafting Persuasive Arguments - Students will begin outlining their persuasive letter to a local legislator, focusing on clear arguments and supporting evidence. Learning Target: Craft arguments using evidence and community insights. (15 min)

Final Draft and Submission - Students will finalize their persuasive letter to the legislator, ensuring it communicates urgency and actionable solutions. Learning Target: Produce a polished persuasive letter. (15 min)

Growth Reflection and Sharing - Students will reflect on their learning journey and share insights with peers and community members, highlighting personal growth and project impact. Learning Target: Reflect on learning and articulate project outcomes. (15 min)

Deliverables

Description of the Challenge

Inquiry Questions Development

Solution Proposal Brief

Exemplar Exploration and Inspiration

Persuasive letter to legislator

Growth Reflection

Preparation

1. Gather materials for interactive discussion, including a short documentary and discussion prompts.
2. Curate online resources and data on bear behavior from local wildlife organizations.
3. Prepare materials for role-play activity, including scripts and role descriptions for different government roles.
4. Provide students with templates and guidelines for writing a persuasive letter.
5. Set up a peer review system for students to exchange and provide feedback on letters.