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7th Grade  Project 6 weeks

Eco-Detectives: Unveiling Hidden Environmental Clues!

Sarah F
Feb 12, 2026
Updated Feb 12, 2026
Evaluate use of techniques and technology
Connect to the natural world
Identify an issue or design challenge
Gather and organize original data
Select and evaluate sources
+ 5 more
1-pager

The Challenge

Excessive artificial lighting in urban areas significantly disrupts ecological patterns by altering circadian rhythms and interfering with wildlife migration, specifically affecting bird populations. These changes contribute to declining biodiversity, highlighting the urgent need for effective strategies to mitigate light pollution.

Competencies
  • Read The World - Evaluate use of techniques and technology (RW.3)
  • Sustain Well-Being - Connect to the natural world (SW.4)
  • Design Solutions - Identify an issue or design challenge (DS.1)
  • Engage In Inquiry - Gather and organize original data (EI.4)
  • Engage In Inquiry - Select and evaluate sources (EI.3)
  • Engage In Inquiry - Frame a question (EI.1)
  • Sustain Well-Being - Build cultural intelligence (SW.3)
  • Design Solutions - Build models, prototypes, or action plans (DS.2)
  • Design Solutions - Test, act, iterate (DS.3)
  • Engage In Inquiry - Synthesize sources or findings (EI.5)

Learning Partners and Clients

NYC community members and the NYC Audubon Society work together to address the city's light pollution issues, with students playing a vital role by gathering data and presenting findings to city officials. Collaborating with Audubon Society mentors, students delve into the impact of artificial lighting on bird migration, learning strategies to mitigate its effects. As they collect and analyze real-world data, students build sensor-driven AI communication systems that convey scientific insights to help inform public awareness and policy decisions, actively contributing to a greener, healthier urban environment.

Phase Outcomes

Phase Learning Outcome
Discover
I can identify the challenge of light pollution and its impact on ecosystems and human health by engaging in activities that spark curiosity and deepen understanding of the issue.
Examine
I can conduct research to understand the causes and effects of excessive artificial lighting, including data collection and analysis with guidance from environmental experts.
Engineer
I can develop a solution to mitigate light pollution, designing a system that effectively translates data into actionable insights for community stakeholders.
Do
I can implement my built solution by deploying sensors to collect real-time data on lighting impacts and thoroughly test its effectiveness before presenting our findings.
Share
I can share my solution and learning experience with the community through an interactive presentation, highlighting both the project's impact and my personal growth during the journey.
Plan
By Phase By Day Calendar
Discover Examine Engineer Do Share
Discover
Students will investigate their community to identify issues of light pollution by visiting local sites, engaging with NYC Audubon Society mentors, and gathering initial data, setting the stage for deeper analysis in subsequent phases.
Days 1 - 6
Challenge Definition
Deliverable
Inquiry Questions
Deliverable
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Examine
Students will collaborate with NYC Audubon Society mentors to conduct detailed field research on light pollution's impacts, analyze collected data, and synthesize findings to identify patterns and potential solutions for their engineering phase.
Days 7 - 12
Root Cause Analysis
Deliverable
Solution Proposal
Deliverable
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Engineer
Students will collaborate to design prototypes of AI-driven environmental tools that translate raw sensor data into actionable insights, addressing the challenge of light pollution in NYC by iteratively testing and refining their models with guidance from NYC Audubon Society mentors to ensure optimal functionality and impact.
Days 13 - 18
Source Evaluation Report
Deliverable
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Do
Students will collaborate with NYC Audubon Society mentors to install and test sensor-based prototypes in real-world settings, analyze light pollution data, and refine their AI-supported environmental communication systems for effective practical solutions.
Days 19 - 24
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Share
Students will present their AI-supported environmental communication systems to city officials and NYC Audubon Society, sharing findings and solutions on mitigating light pollution to prompt community action.
Days 25 - 30
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Discover Days 1–6
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Challenge Definition
Deliverable
Inquiry Questions
Deliverable
Examine Days 7–12
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Root Cause Analysis
Deliverable
Day 12
Solution Proposal
Deliverable
Engineer Days 13–18
Day 13
Source Evaluation Report
Deliverable
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Do Days 19–24
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Day 22
Day 23
Day 24
Share Days 25–30
Day 25
Day 26
Day 27
Day 28
Day 29
Day 30

May 2026

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
11 Day 1
Discover
12 Day 2
13 Day 3
14 Day 4
15 Day 5
18 Day 6
Challenge Definition
Inquiry Questions
19 Day 7
Examine
20 Day 8
21 Day 9
22 Day 10
25 Day 11
Root Cause Analysis
26 Day 12
Solution Proposal
27 Day 13
Engineer
Source Evaluation Report
28 Day 14
29 Day 15

June 2026

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
1 Day 16
2 Day 17
3 Day 18
4 Day 19
Do
5 Day 20
8 Day 21
9 Day 22
10 Day 23
11 Day 24
12 Day 25
Share
15 Day 26
16 Day 27
17 Day 28
18 Day 29
19 Day 30
Share
Activities
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