Launch
Meet Beach Stakeholders
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Collaboration
Academic Mindset
Self Directed Learning
HS-LS2-7
Reflection
Project Launch
Students join a beach cleanup with UCONN scientists and community partners to meet volunteers, residents affected by shoreline pollution, and researchers. In small groups they conduct short interviews and make observational notes. They draft quick empathy artifacts—a simple empathy map and a short user-story for each participant—and reflect on how pollution affects people, wildlife, and local equity. Roles rotate to practice listening and interviewing.
Plan day
Day 1
Duration
60 min
Grouping
Small Group
Steps
7 steps
Lesson plan
7 steps · 60 min| # | What teachers do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction and logistics (10 min). |
| 2 | Overview of the day's objectives and distribute materials (10 min). |
| 3 | Form student groups and assign roles (5 min). |
| 4 | Begin cleanup and make observational notes (20 min). |
| 5 | Conduct empathy interviews with stakeholders (15 min). |
| 6 | Draft initial empathy artifacts (10 min). |
| 7 | Reflect on the activity and initial observations (10 min). |
Preparation (3 items)
- Coordinate timing with community partners and confirm attendance of UCONN scientists and local stakeholders.
- Prepare and distribute necessary materials: gloves, bags, notepads, writing implements, and empathy mapping templates.
- Assign groups and roles beforehand based on student preferences and strengths.
Student-facing instructions
Your task is to participate in a beach cleanup, engage in empathy interviews with stakeholders, and collaboratively make observational notes. Start by making general observations about pollution types and practices, then approach community partners and volunteers for short interviews. Use these insights to draft empathy maps and short user-stories for the people you meet.