9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Grades  Project 4 weeks

Survival Squad: Thrills & Skills Adventure!

Steph S
Effective Communication
Content Expertise
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to immerse students in an authentic exploration of resilience and adaptability through the lens of survival stories, both historical and modern. By producing a podcast series and developing a survival kit, students actively engage with diverse narratives, enhancing their critical thinking and communication skills. This learning experience creates opportunities for students to reflect on personal and community connections and helps them cultivate a deeper understanding of survival as a complex, multifaceted concept.

Learning goals

Students will cultivate effective communication skills by developing and delivering podcasts, honing their ability to listen, empathize, and present ideas clearly. They will acquire content expertise through analyzing survival narratives, exploring themes of resilience and adaptability across different contexts. Critical thinking and problem-solving will be emphasized as students design interviews, write compelling questions, and creatively construct storyboards for their podcasts. Self-directed learning will be fostered through continuous feedback, allowing students to reflect and adapt their work and learning process. Lastly, students will nurture an academic mindset by engaging with community partners, building a sense of identity and belonging while interpreting survival stories from diverse perspectives.
Competencies
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
  • Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Products

Students will produce a podcast series where they interview community partners, weaving insights into episodes that highlight themes of resilience and adaptability drawn from survival narratives. They will also create customized survival kits that reflect their learnings, thoughtfully explaining the rationale behind each selected item and its relevance to the skills discussed in historical and modern survival stories. Both projects will demonstrate critical thinking and communication skills, culminating in a showcase of their work at the 'Survival Stories Symposium'.

Launch

Begin with a dynamic "Survival Scavenger Hunt," where students work in collaborative teams to explore campus, solving puzzles and uncovering hidden resources. Each clue will reveal key principles of survival and adaptability, foreshadowing the themes to be explored throughout the project. This hands-on engagement sets the stage for students to practice creativity while emphasizing teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills from the very start.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Survival Stories Symposium' where they present their podcast series and survival kits to peers, teachers, and community partners. This event will feature listening stations for their podcasts, display tables for the survival kits, and interactive panels where students engage in live Q&A sessions about resilience and adaptability. Attendees will be encouraged to provide feedback and ask questions, allowing students to discuss their learning journey and the insights gained from the project.