Clay Blooms: Scented San Diego Garden

High School Grade Project 5 weeks

Clay Blooms: Stop and smell the wildflowers

Jack S

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Purpose

This project enhances your artistic skills and deepens your understanding of the natural world and its therapeutic benefits. Through creating ceramic flowers, you'll explore the intersection of art and science, researching and documenting how the scents and properties of native San Diego flowers can promote wellness. By displaying and selling your creations, you'll advocate for environmental appreciation and highlight the importance of connecting with nature for mental and physical health.

Learning goals

Develop your ceramic art skills by crafting native San Diego flowers, enhancing your abilities in precision and design. Gain comprehensive understanding of how the scents from these flowers impact mental and physical wellness through aromatherapy research. Foster analytical and writing skills by composing a detailed report on the benefits and science behind aromatherapy. Cultivate entrepreneurial skills learned from previous projects by creating marketable, appealing flower products for exhibition. Experience the process of critique and revision to refine both artistic craftsmanship and written communication.

Products

Create ceramic replicas of native San Diego flowers and a detailed report on the mental and physical wellness benefits of aromatherapy. Compile a portfolio documenting research methodology, ceramic creation process, and the application of entrepreneurial skills learned from previous projects. Design informative labels for each ceramic piece that highlight the flower type and its aromatherapy effects. Assemble an educational exhibit display to showcase your products and findings at the north lawn exhibition. Integrate feedback received from teachers into the final report and ceramic designs.

Launch

Begin your project with an insightful exploration walk through a local garden, such as Olivewood Gardens, to observe and admire native San Diego flowers firsthand. Engage with community partners or experts present to learn about the unique properties and benefits of these flowers. Capture your observations through sketches or photographs for later use in your ceramics design. Reflect on the initial sensory experiences and begin brainstorming ways to incorporate them into your ceramic creations and aromatherapy report.

Exhibition

Arrange an exhibition on the north lawn showcasing your ceramic flowers and the accompanying aromatherapy reports. Set up informative and visually engaging displays that highlight the significance of each flower's natural benefits. Invite visitors to engage with both the tactile artistry of your ceramics and the insightful research behind the therapeutic effects. Facilitate discussions about the creative process and the wellness impact, fostering a deeper appreciation for local flora. Offer visitors the chance to purchase these handcrafted pieces, promoting both awareness and support for your advocacy.

Rubric

Competency Progression Rubric Competency-first rubric

Category	Learning Goal	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
Artistic Skills	Artistic and Technical Craftsmanship - Demonstrate proficiency in ceramic art techniques by creating accurate and expressive replicas of native San Diego flowers, showcasing precision in design and form.	I can accurately create ceramic replicas of native San Diego flowers, demonstrating precision in the shaping, detailing, and glazing techniques, ensuring that my ceramics reflect the unique characteristics and expressive forms of each flower observed during the exploration walk.	I can create ceramic replicas of native San Diego flowers that capture key features and display consistent, skillful detailing in my designs, showing a growing ability to combine artistic expression with technical accuracy.	I can skillfully create ceramic replicas of native San Diego flowers that accurately capture their design and form, reflecting both precision and artistic expression in my craftsmanship.	I can skillfully craft ceramic replicas of native San Diego flowers, achieving accuracy in the flower's form and expressive qualities, while demonstrating advanced techniques in shaping, detailing, and glazing My final pieces reflect a deep understanding of the flora's visual and tactile nuances, as observed during the garden exploration.
Research Skills	Scientific Research and Analysis - Conduct thorough research on the aromatherapy benefits of native San Diego flowers, evaluate scientific sources, and synthesize this information into a comprehensive report.	I can identify and analyze reliable sources to learn about the aromatherapy benefits of native San Diego flowers, taking notes and organizing information effectively I combine my findings into a detailed report that demonstrates my understanding of the research process and the therapeutic benefits of these flowers.	I can identify reputable sources and gather information on the aromatherapy benefits of native San Diego flowers, summarizing the key findings in my report to demonstrate my understanding of their impact on mental and physical wellness.	I can thoroughly research and synthesize information on the aromatherapy benefits of San Diego's native flowers, ensuring my report is comprehensive, well-organized, and integrates multiple credible scientific sources effectively.	I can conduct detailed research on the aromatherapy effects of native San Diego flowers, critically evaluate multiple scientific sources to ensure accuracy, and synthesize this information into a well-structured, comprehensive report that clearly communicates the wellness benefits.
Entrepreneurial Skills	Entrepreneurial and Marketing Strategies - Develop and implement effective marketing strategies to promote ceramic products, incorporating entrepreneurial skills and knowledge from previous projects, and explore techniques to engage an audience at the exhibition.	I can confidently present my ceramic products by highlighting their unique features and explaining their benefits, effectively engaging visitors with clear and persuasive communication during the exhibition.	I can create an engaging display for the exhibition that showcases my ceramic flowers and effectively incorporates marketing strategies learned in previous projects I involve community partners or experts to deepen my understanding and craft informative labels for each piece, drawing attention to the therapeutic benefits of native San Diego flowers By actively participating in discussions and offering my creations for sale, I demonstrate my ability to connect with visitors and encourage support for environmental advocacy.	I can demonstrate my entrepreneurial skills by creating a marketing strategy that highlights the unique qualities of my ceramic flowers, such as their representation of native San Diego flora and aromatherapy benefits, and effectively engage potential buyers at the exhibition by confidently explaining the wellness advantages and artistic processes involved.	I can effectively market my ceramic flowers by utilizing entrepreneurial skills such as designing eye-catching labels, identifying unique selling points of the flower products, and engaging visitors at the exhibition through interactive discussions that highlight the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy.
Collaboration and Communication	Collaborative Feedback and Iteration - Actively engage in peer and teacher feedback sessions, integrate constructive criticism into revisions of both ceramic designs and written reports to enhance quality and impact.	I actively listen during feedback sessions with peers and teachers, and I thoughtfully incorporate their suggestions into my ceramic designs and aromatherapy reports, enhancing them for clarity and aesthetic appeal.	I actively seek out and incorporate feedback from teachers and peers, using this input to improve my ceramic designs and written reports I can identify specific suggestions that enhance the visual and informational aspects of my project, resulting in clearer and more impactful presentations.	I can actively participate in feedback sessions by listening to peers and teachers, ask clarifying questions to understand their suggestions, and thoughtfully incorporate their feedback into my ceramic designs and written reports, demonstrating growth in quality and depth.	I confidently participate in feedback sessions, listening attentively and asking clarifying questions to fully understand the suggestions from peers and teachers I effectively incorporate constructive criticism by revising my ceramic designs and written reports, resulting in enhanced quality and showcasing thoughtful refinements that amplify the impact of my findings and creations.
Public Presentation	Exhibition and Public Engagement - Organize and present an educational and engaging public exhibition, facilitating discussions that foster a deeper understanding of the connection between local flora and wellness benefits.	I confidently share my ceramic flower creations and aromatherapy report, engaging visitors with clear explanations of how each flower's aroma contributes to mental and physical wellness I actively participate in discussions, highlighting insights from my research and the creative process, and invite visitors to experience and appreciate the beauty and benefits of local flora.	I can organize an engaging exhibition that clearly displays my ceramic flowers and aromatherapy report, effectively highlighting the wellness benefits of local San Diego flora I can confidently facilitate discussions with visitors, sharing insights about the creative process and therapeutic effects, and encourage interaction with my exhibit to deepen their appreciation for local nature.	I can effectively organize and present an engaging exhibition that clearly demonstrates the connection between native San Diego flowers and their wellness benefits, using well-researched information and interactive displays to facilitate meaningful discussions with visitors about the therapeutic effects and the creative process of my ceramic artworks.	I can create an engaging exhibit that effectively showcases my ceramic flower replicas and aromatherapy research, using visually appealing displays and informative labels to highlight the therapeutic benefits of native San Diego flowers I can confidently facilitate discussions with visitors, sharing insights into the creative process and the wellness impacts of my work, while encouraging meaningful connections with local flora Additionally, I can demonstrate entrepreneurial skills by successfully promoting and selling my handcrafted pieces to raise awareness and support for my advocacy.

Learning Journey

Empathize

You will research the traditional and contemporary uses of native San Diego flowers in aromatherapy and horticulture by visiting Olive Wood Gardens, consulting with your mentor, and gathering insights from community members on how these plants impact mental and physical wellness.

Days 1 - 3

Milestone Activities

Meet Garden Community

Launch 60m

Visit Olive Wood Gardens to engage with staff, volunteers, and visitors. Learn how native San Diego flowers are used for aromatherapy and wellness and capture observations through notes, sketches, or photos during a short garden walk. Use these conversations and impressions to inform your ceramic designs and aromatherapy exploration.

Define

You will synthesize your research on San Diego's native flowers and aromatherapy benefits to craft a clear problem statement, which will guide your design process and ensure your project effectively advocates for the appreciation of nature's healing qualities.

Days 4 - 6

Milestone Activities

Define Floral Wellness Challenge

Deliverable 90m

In small groups, conduct short interviews with community partners, garden staff, or experienced gardeners and observe a local native San Diego flower habitat to surface real needs and empathy insights. Collect empathy artifacts (quotes, photos, sketches) and synthesize these insights into a problem definition by drafting a Point-of-View (POV) statement, generating How Might We (HMW) questions, building user persona profiles, and mapping a problem tree or systems map. Include how these artifacts will inform iterative prototypes in the next phase. Compile these artifacts into a deliverable that will guide your design work in the next phase and prepare you for user-centered critique and refinement.

Ideate

You will brainstorm a variety of ways to design and showcase your ceramic flower creations and aromatherapy information, drawing inspiration from expert insights and peers' perspectives, to create an engaging and informative exhibit.

Days 7 - 10

Milestone Activities

No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Prototype

You will create and refine clay prototypes of San Diego's native flowers, incorporating feedback from art teachers and using your research on aromatherapy to ensure the flowers effectively embody their therapeutic properties and appeal.

Days 11 - 15

Milestone Activities

Clay Flower Prototypes

Deliverable 90m

Prototype your San Diego native flower ideas using low-fidelity materials (paper, cardboard, wire, or simple clay forms) to explore shape and aroma-inspired concepts. Build an initial form and a quick functional mockup to compare with your sketches, and record changes in an iteration log to show how your design evolved after feedback from teachers and potential users.

Testing Documentation Log

Deliverable 90m

Organize and run user testing of your prototypes with art teachers and peers. Create a testing protocol, collect and synthesize feedback, and document revision decisions with rationale. Use these insights to refine your next ceramic prototype and justify design changes in your final report.

Test/Present

You will showcase your ceramic flowers and aromatherapy report to stakeholders on the north lawn, engage with attendees to share insights on the scents' wellness benefits, gather their feedback, and refine your report and presentation skills based on their interactions.

Days 16 - 20

Milestone Activities

Ceramic Flower Ideation

Deliverable 90m

Translate garden observations into tangible ceramic ideas. Work in small groups to sketch and prototype 6-8 quick clay forms that capture the essential shapes and textures of sampled flowers. Share early prototypes with peers to gather feedback and note possible refinements for glazing and surface details.

Aromatherapy Research Sprint

Deliverable 75m

Conduct a fast, evidence-based review of the wellness effects associated with the native flowers you’re studying. Locate 3-5 credible sources, evaluate their reliability, and synthesize the key wellness claims into a concise draft section for your aromatherapy report. Prepare to discuss which sources most strongly support your conclusions.

Exhibit Mock-Up Feedback

Deliverable 60m

Set up a mini-exhibit of your ceramic flower forms and your draft aromatherapy report. Invite 2–3 peers to walk through your display, using structured prompts to give feedback on clarity, impact, and the wellness claims. Document insights and plan concrete revisions to strengthen both the display and the report.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Phase	Empathize Define
Activities	Meet Garden Community Launch 60m	Define the Floral Wellness Challenge Together Knowledge/Skill Building 45m	Investigate Aromatherapy Benefits of Native Flowers Knowledge/Skill Building 60m	Define Floral Wellness Challenge Deliverable 90m
Preparation

Week 2	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7	Day 8
Phase	Define Ideate
Activities	Clay Flower Prototypes: Form, Texture, Color Knowledge/Skill Building 60m	Label Design and Aromatherapy Research Knowledge/Skill Building 60m	Peer Feedback Session and Iteration Knowledge/Skill Building 60m	Scent Documentation and Safety Plan Knowledge/Skill Building 60m
Preparation

Week 3	Day 9	Day 10	Day 11	Day 12
Phase	Ideate Prototype
Activities	Final Prototypes and Exhibition Prep Knowledge/Skill Building 60m	Refine Clay Flower Prototypes with Feedback Knowledge/Skill Building 60m	Clay Flower Prototypes Deliverable 90m	Plan and Pre-Test Ceramic Flower Prototypes Knowledge/Skill Building 60m
Preparation

Week 4	Day 13	Day 14	Day 15	Day 16
Phase	Prototype Test/Present
Activities	Testing Documentation Log Deliverable 90m	Finalize Exhibition Layout and Labels Knowledge/Skill Building 60m	Aroma Research and Scent Prototypes Knowledge/Skill Building 60m	Public Walkthrough, Feedback, and Reflection Knowledge/Skill Building 60m
Preparation

Week 5	Day 17	Day 18	Day 19	Day 20
Phase	Test/Present
Activities	Ceramic Flower Ideation Deliverable 90m	Aromatherapy Research Sprint Deliverable 75m	Exhibit Mock-Up Feedback Deliverable 60m	Final Exhibition Display and Sales Pitch Knowledge/Skill Building 60m
Preparation

Clay Blooms: Stop and smell the wildflowers

Purpose

Learning goals

Products

Launch

Exhibition

Milestone Activities

Edit Phase

Milestone Activities

Edit Phase

Milestone Activities

Edit Phase

Milestone Activities

Edit Phase

Milestone Activities

Edit Phase