"Rat Race: NYC Urban Warriors"

9th Grade Project 5 weeks

"Rat Race: NYC Urban Warriors"

Jenn C

HS-LS2-7

HS-LS4-6

Social equity

Analyzing patterns

+ 1 more

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The Challenge

New York City faces a significant challenge with its growing rat population, exacerbated by improper waste management and high urban density. This issue impacts public health, sanitation, and the overall quality of life for residents, demanding effective solutions to mitigate these adverse effects on the environment and biodiversity.

Challenge Question

How can we design and implement effective strategies to reduce the rat population in NYC while considering the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity?

Standards

[Next Generation Science Standards] HS-LS2-7 - Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
[Next Generation Science Standards] HS-LS2-7 - Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
[Next Generation Science Standards] HS-LS4-6 - Create or revise a simulation to test a solution to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on biodiversity.

Competencies

Politics - Social equity (FK.SS.2.c)
Computational Thinking - Analyzing patterns (FL.MST.1.d)
Interpreting Data - Data visualization (FL.MST.3.c)

Learning Partners and Clients

The Department of Sanitation will serve as a learning partner and client for this project. Students will collaborate with the department to understand current waste management practices and their impact on rat populations. This partnership will provide students with insights into real-world challenges and opportunities to present their findings and solutions directly to professionals working to improve urban environmental conditions.

Phase Outcomes

Phase	Learning Outcome
Discover	I can identify the root causes of increased rat populations in NYC through engaging field observations and discussions, understanding how waste management practices contribute to urban ecosystem challenges.
Examine	I can research and analyze the impact of human activities on rat populations by conducting interviews and gathering data, gaining insights into how urban density affects biodiversity.
Engineer	I can develop a strategic plan to improve waste management practices in my community, aiming to reduce rat populations and enhance urban biodiversity.
Do	I can implement my solution by actively engaging with community members and collecting data on the effectiveness of my strategies in reducing rat activity.
Share	I can share my comprehensive report and personal learning journey with the Department of Sanitation and community stakeholders, highlighting the impact of my project and my growth in understanding urban ecosystems.