6th Grade  Project 4 weeks

Buzzing Bees & Blooming Buddies!

Jie Z
Creative Contributer
Effective Communicator
Critical Thinker
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Purpose

The purpose of "The Power of Pollinators" project is to immerse students in the exploration of the critical roles pollinators play in sustaining ecosystems and the environment. By engaging in hands-on activities, interviews, and community collaboration, students will develop creative solutions to support and protect vital pollinator species while honing skills in communication, critical thinking, and creativity. The project aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of biodiversity, emphasizing the interconnectedness of life on Earth through experiential learning and reflection.

Learning goals

Through this project, students will deepen their understanding of the vital roles pollinators play in ecosystems and investigate their life cycles using firsthand observations and multimedia research. They will enhance their ability to communicate effectively by sharing insights with diverse audiences and collaborating on presentations that highlight imaginative strategies for protecting pollinator habitats. By continuously reflecting on their experiences and engaging in peer critiques, students will refine their critical thinking skills to produce creative and informative content that resonates within the community.
Competencies
  • Creative Contributer - Interprets experiences, imagines and plays with new possibilities with curiosity, and creates approaches that are novel, useful, and valued by the world around them.
  • Effective Communicator - Engages diverse audiences respectfully by exchanging ideas and information responsibly, listening actively, speaking and writing clearly, and using print and digital media appropriately.
  • Critical Thinker - Thinks deeply and makes informed decisions to create solutions or new understanding supported by relevant and reliable evidence.

Products

Students will collaboratively create multimedia presentations that include insightful interviews with local beekeepers and entomologists, along with interactive maps displaying pollinator pathways. They'll capture the project's journey through videos detailing the stages from initial research to community engagement. These completed presentations will be showcased at a community event or hosted on an online portal for broader access, demonstrating the students' learning process and creative solutions to protect pollinators.

Launch

To kick off the "Power of Pollinators" project, organize a captivating 'Pollinator Parade' where students dress as various pollinators and march through the school or community. Each student will deliver brief speeches and distribute handouts with engaging facts about their chosen pollinator. This event will serve as a dynamic introduction to the project, sparking curiosity and setting the stage for deeper exploration into the vital roles pollinators play in ecosystems.

Exhibition

Students will showcase their multimedia presentations through a dynamic virtual gallery event. Each interactive map and video will be accessible to community members online, featuring an engaging user interface that highlights individual contributions. Following the gallery, a livestreamed Q&A will invite students to interact with expert guest speakers such as local beekeepers and entomologists, facilitating a deeper understanding of the impact pollinators have on ecosystems.