Granting Planetary Wishes: Science Edition

High School Grade Project 6 weeks

Granting Planetary Wishes: Science Edition

Suzanne A

HS-LS2-7

Self Directed Learning

Academic Mindset

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Content Expertise

+ 2 more

1-pager

Purpose

Students will engage in a transformative learning experience by actively participating in the creation of grant proposals aimed at addressing critical environmental issues. Throughout the project, students will develop essential skills in research, writing, and argumentation while applying scientific knowledge towards impactful, real-world solutions. By collaborating with peers and community partners, students will gain firsthand experience in the grant-writing process, preparing them for future academic and career pursuits within the environmental science field.

Learning goals

The learning goals for this project are to develop practical grant writing skills, with a focus on crafting compelling narratives to advocate for environmental science initiatives. Students will enhance their understanding of environmental science and biodiversity, applying critical thinking to design solutions that mitigate human impact on the environment. They will also strengthen their collaboration and communication abilities through peer feedback, presenting their findings, and engaging with real-world experts and community partners.

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.

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.
Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.

Products

Students will collaboratively develop a comprehensive grant application tailored to an environmental science project they are passionate about, such as saving an endangered species or implementing a climate change protocol. These grant applications will culminate in a professional presentation to school peers and potential community partners, showcasing their understanding of grant writing and scientific advocacy. Throughout the process, students will create supplementary materials like project proposals and budget breakdowns, leveraging their learning from English and math classes to enhance their final product.

Launch

To commence this hands-on grant writing project, students will embark on a field trip to the San Diego Zoo. There, they'll meet with a professional grant writer and engage in an interactive session on real-world grant funding opportunities tailored for environmental and wildlife conservation. This visit will provide tangible insights into the role of grant writing in supporting scientific research and environmental initiatives, animating the project with a vivid context and inspiring students to delve into the process of creating impactful grant proposals.

Exhibition

Students will present their completed grant proposals during a dedicated exhibition day held in collaboration with other high tech high schools. Each group will showcase their projects through visually engaging displays and oral presentations, highlighting the potential impact of their chosen environmental solution. This event will serve as a platform for students not only to demonstrate their learning outcomes but also to foster dialogue on environmental science and grant writing within the broader school community.

Learning Journey

Project Activities

Days 1 - 10

Milestone Activities

No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Project Launch: San Diego Zoo Field Trip Activity 120m Introduction to Environmental Grant Writing Activity 60m Project Introduction and Essential Question Exploration Activity 60m Brainstorming Environmental Issues Activity 60m Brainstorming Environmental Issues Activity 30m Introduction to Grant Writing Basics Activity 30m	Researching Environmental Issues Activity 60m Research Skills Workshop Activity 40m Reflective Debrief Activity 30m Individual Research Time Activity 50m Group Formation and Project Planning Activity 60m Research & Selection Activity 60m Introduction to Grant Writing Activity 30m Reflection and Sharing Session Activity 30m
Preparation

Week 2	Day 3	Day 4
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Research Grant Opportunities Activity 30m Exploring Grant Opportunities Activity 60m Grant Writing Structures: Exploring Templates Activity 30m Collaborative Brainstorm: Environmental Challenges Activity 45m Identify Passion Projects Activity 40m Understanding Grant Criteria Activity 60m Introduction to Grant Structure Activity 50m Drafting the Problem Statement Activity 45m	Crafting a Compelling Narrative Activity 40m Developing a Vision Statement Activity 60m Understanding Funding Sources Activity 30m Budget Planning Workshop Activity 45m Initial Proposal Draft Activity 60m Budget Planning Workshop Activity 50m Feedback Session: Problem Statement Review Activity 45m Peer Feedback Session Activity 30m
Preparation

Week 3	Day 5	Day 6
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Drafting the Proposal Introduction Activity 40m Refining the Problem Statement Activity 30m Peer Review and Feedback Activity 40m Developing Project Objectives Activity 40m Developing the Project Plan Activity 45m Incorporating Feedback Activity 40m Researching Funding Priorities Activity 40m Peer Review and Feedback Activity 40m Expert Consultation Session Activity 45m	Engaging with Community Partners Activity 40m Crafting the Project Description Activity 50m Drafting the Project Narrative Activity 45m Enhancing Argumentation Skills Activity 40m Collaborative Budget Planning Activity 45m Budget Refinement Session Activity 40m Peer Review: Project Narrative Activity 30m Refining Vision and Objectives Activity 40m Reflection and Self-Assessment Activity 30m
Preparation

Week 4	Day 7	Day 8
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Project Description Refinement Activity 40m Analyzing Successful Grant Applications Activity 60m Revising the Project Narrative Activity 45m Budget Justification Workshop Activity 45m Finalizing Budget Plans Activity 40m Identifying Key Components Activity 60m Peer Critique and Revision Activity 40m Exploring Real-world Grant Opportunities Activity 30m	Writing the Conclusion and Impact Statement Activity 40m Developing Methodology Activity 60m Finalizing Grant Proposal Components Activity 45m Mock Presentation Session Activity 45m Crafting a Budget Proposal Activity 60m Comprehensive Proposal Review Activity 50m Reflective Journaling Activity 30m Reflection and Goal Setting Activity 30m
Preparation

Week 5	Day 9	Day 10
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Refining Methodology with Peer Feedback Activity 40m Final Edits and Polishing Activity 45m Final Proposal Editing Session Activity 40m Presentation Preparation Activity 45m Visual Presentation Design Workshop Activity 50m Incorporating Quantitative Data Activity 40m Peer Feedback Exchange Activity 30m Finalizing Methodology Activity 40m Rehearsal for Exhibition Activity 30m	Exhibition Setup Activity 30m Drafting the Project Timeline Activity 40m Exhibition Preparation Activity 30m Budget Proposal Peer Review Activity 40m Grant Proposal Presentation and Exhibition Activity 60m Grant Proposal Presentations Activity 60m Reflective Discussion and Documentation Activity 30m Revising Budget Proposals Activity 40m Reflection and Self-Assessment Activity 30m
Preparation

Week 6	Day 11	Day 12
Phase
Activities	Peer Review of Project Timeline and Budget Activity 40m Workshop on Proposal Narrative Activity 40m Integrating Feedback Activity 40m	Creating Visual Aids for Grant Proposal Activity 40m Presentation Skills Workshop Activity 40m Mock Presentation Activity 40m
Preparation