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7th Grade  Project 5 weeks

Dream Green: 3D Eco-Home Creations

jessica s
Effective Communication
Collaboration
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
+ 1 more
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Purpose

This project engages students in a comprehensive exploration of sustainable architecture, blending creativity with critical environmental problem-solving. By designing a 3D future dream sustainable house, students tackle real-world challenges such as energy efficiency and eco-friendly construction methods. This immersive experience enhances their technical skills through digital literacy in TinkerCad, while fostering collaboration, effective communication, and self-directed learning. Through interactions with local architects and community showcases, students gain valuable insights and feedback, rooted in sustainable practices that address the needs of future generations.

Learning goals

Students will develop competency in effective communication by practicing active listening, empathetic interactions, and sharing their progress through thoughtful exhibitions and presentations. They will enhance collaboration skills through joint project design, shared decision-making, and conflict resolution in team settings. By engaging in self-directed learning, students will cultivate the ability to use feedback for self-monitoring and growth, both academically and personally. As they explore sustainable architecture, they will nurture an academic mindset, embracing a sense of identity and belonging in addressing authentic community questions. Critical thinking and problem-solving will be central as they evaluate diverse approaches to create sustainable living solutions, developing content expertise through hands-on math and digital literacy activities essential for eco-friendly architectural design.

Competencies
  • 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.
  • 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.

Products

Throughout the project, students will develop 3D models of their sustainable dream houses using TinkerCad, refining their designs based on community partner feedback. At the culmination, each student will produce an interactive digital presentation, showcasing their design's evolution and the problem-solving journey. Additionally, they will compile a digital portfolio including reflections and insights gathered during the Architectural Inspiration Tour, collaboration workshops, and Future Builders Showcase.

Launch

Begin the project with an interactive 'Architectural Inspiration Tour,' where students virtually explore iconic sustainable buildings worldwide, highlighting their eco-friendly features through guided discussion. Follow this up with 'Sustainability Storytelling,' where students watch a brief documentary on sustainable living and engage in a group dialogue, sharing personal anecdotes of eco-friendly practices implemented in their own families. This immersive introduction sets a foundation for students to draw creative inspiration and personal relevance as they embark on their project journey.

Exhibition

Students will participate in the 'Future Builders Showcase,' presenting their 3D sustainable house models and reflection journals to classmates, teachers, and family members. This exhibition provides an interactive platform where students articulate their design decisions and the thought processes behind them. By sharing their work with a broader audience, students enhance their communication skills and gain appreciation for the diverse perspectives on sustainability in architecture. This event also includes a feedback session with local architects, allowing students to receive expert critiques on their designs.