Symbiotic Stewards: Greening Queens Together

High School Grade

Project
5 weeks

Symbiotic Stewards: Greening Queens Together

Priscilla Walton

Purpose

This project invites students to explore empathy and perspective-taking by examining the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. Through hands-on activities and community partnerships, students will investigate local environmental issues in New York City, using insights from symbiotic relationships in nature to propose sustainable solutions. By integrating humanities and science, students will create meaningful products, such as children's books and multimedia presentations, fostering a sense of responsibility and collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.

Learning goals

Students will explore symbiotic relationships between humans and the environment, examining cultural and ecological aspects. They will investigate local NYC environmental issues, propose solutions, and incorporate diverse community perspectives. Emphasis will be placed on understanding empathy's role in environmental challenges and developing sustainable living practices. Students will effectively communicate findings through writing, speaking, and multimedia presentations, in alignment with New York State standards.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
NGSS - 5-LS2-1: Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.

Products

Students will create an opinion piece exploring the potential for mutualistic relationships between humans, animals, and plants. They will develop a multimedia presentation proposing solutions to a local NYC environmental issue, incorporating empathy and diverse perspectives. Additionally, students will design an art piece that highlights a local environmental issue and our symbiotic relationship with the environment. The project will culminate in a children's book that brings awareness to a local environmental issue and the role humans play in the ecosystem, which will be shared with the community.

Launch

Begin the project with an engaging field trip to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, where students can explore local ecosystems and observe symbiotic relationships in nature. Lead a guided discussion on how these interactions can inspire empathy and inform human practices for environmental stewardship. Conclude with a collaborative brainstorming session where students identify local NYC environmental challenges and explore how diverse perspectives can drive innovative solutions.

Exhibition

Host a 'Symbiotic Solutions Fair' where students set up interactive booths showcasing their research, solutions, partnerships, and art pieces, inviting community members and local environmental organizations to engage and provide feedback. Facilitate a 'Community Conservation Forum' where students present their proposed solutions to local environmental issues in a panel discussion format, inviting local experts and community leaders to join in a dialogue about actionable next steps. Include multimedia presentations and children's book readings to illustrate students' understanding of biomimicry and sustainable living. Conclude with a reflection session where students express their learning journey and their vision for a mutualistic relationship with the environment.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Activity 1: Introduction to Empathy and Symbiotic Relationships - Begin with an interactive session where students discuss the importance of empathy and how it relates to understanding symbiotic relationships. Use visuals, role-play scenarios, and case studies from nature to demonstrate these concepts.	Activity 2: Local Nature Exploration - Conduct a nature exploration activity on school grounds or a nearby park. Task students with identifying and documenting examples of symbiotic relationships they observe, using sketches and notes.	Activity 3: Empathy Story Circle - Host a story circle where students share personal experiences with nature and discuss how empathy can influence our interactions with the environment. Facilitate discussions around different environmental perspectives.	Activity 4: Research Topic Development - Guide students in brainstorming local NYC environmental issues they are curious about. Encourage them to develop research questions to steer their investigations for the project.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Nature Exploration Journal - Students submit a journal entry with sketches and observations from their nature exploration, highlighting symbiotic relationships they found. 2. Deliverable 2: Research Topic Outline - Students submit an outline of their chosen local environmental issue, including initial research questions and potential sources.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Create visual aids and interactive materials for the empathy and symbiotic relationships introduction session. 2. Prep Task 2: Coordinate logistics for the Local Nature Exploration, ensuring safety measures and required permissions are in place. 3. Prep Task 3: Establish a respectful and supportive environment for the Empathy Story Circle, preparing prompts to guide discussions. 4. Prep Task 4: Compile a list of local NYC environmental issues and provide access to resources that students can use for their research.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Activity 1: Biome Exploration - In small groups, students research a specific biome, focusing on characteristics, flora, fauna, and symbiotic relationships. Each group prepares a creative presentation, such as a skit or interactive display, to share their findings with the class.	Activity 2: Perspective Interview Preparation - Students develop interview questions to explore various perspectives on local environmental issues. They identify potential interviewees, including local conservationists, community members, or family members, and practice interviewing skills in pairs.	Activity 3: Symbiotic Art Project - Students start creating an art piece that depicts a local environmental issue and our symbiotic relationship with the environment. They use materials that reflect the natural elements of the biome they researched.	Activity 4: Initial Draft of Opinion Piece - Students begin drafting their opinion piece on whether humans can have a mutualistic relationship with animals and plants. They integrate insights from their biome research and class discussions.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Biome Presentation - Each group presents their research on a specific biome through a chosen creative format. 2. Deliverable 2: Interview Plan - Students submit their list of interview questions and potential interviewees, demonstrating preparation for gathering diverse perspectives. 3. Deliverable 3: Initial Sketch of Symbiotic Art Project - Students provide a preliminary sketch or concept of their art piece.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Gather materials for the Biome Exploration activity, including access to books, articles, and online resources on various biomes. 2. Prep Task 2: Arrange a list of potential local community members or experts who can be interviewed by students about NYC environmental issues. 3. Prep Task 3: Provide art supplies and guidance for the Symbiotic Art Project, including examples of how to represent symbiotic relationships creatively. 4. Prep Task 4: Create a template or guidelines for the opinion piece to help students organize their thoughts and arguments.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Activity 1: Field Visit to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge - Organize a field trip to observe local ecosystems and symbiotic relationships. Students document observations through notes and photos, focusing on interactions between plants, animals, and their environment.	Activity 2: Symbiotic Relationships Reflection - Facilitate a reflection session where students share observations from the field visit. Guide discussions on how these interactions relate to human-environment symbiosis and potential solutions for environmental challenges.	Activity 3: Conducting Interviews - Allow students to conduct interviews with chosen local experts or community members, focusing on empathy and active listening. Students ask prepared questions and record responses.	Activity 4: Drafting Art Piece Concept - Students begin conceptualizing their art piece that illustrates a local environmental issue and our symbiotic relationship with the environment, inspired by insights from the field visit and interviews.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Field Visit Reflection Journal - Students submit a journal entry documenting their observations and reflections from the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge visit. 2. Deliverable 2: Interview Summary - Students submit a summary of their interviews, including key insights and perspectives gathered from local experts. 3. Deliverable 3: Art Piece Concept Sketch - Students submit a preliminary sketch or description of their art piece concept, focusing on a local environmental issue.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Arrange logistics for the field visit, including transportation, permissions, and safety measures. Coordinate with Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge staff for a guided tour, if possible. 2. Prep Task 2: Provide students with recording devices (e.g., tablets or audio recorders) for conducting interviews, and ensure they have practiced using them. 3. Prep Task 3: Create a reflection prompt to guide students' post-field visit discussions, focusing on symbiotic relationships observed. 4. Prep Task 4: Gather and provide art supplies for students to begin their art piece concept sketches, ensuring a variety of materials are available.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Activity 1: Peer Review and Revision - Students exchange their opinion pieces with classmates for feedback. Facilitate a structured peer review process focusing on clarity, creativity, and strength of arguments. Students make revisions based on peer suggestions.	Activity 2: Community Conservation Project Research - Introduce students to local conservation projects. In groups, students research these projects, focusing on their goals, impacts, and how they incorporate symbiotic relationships. Groups prepare a presentation on their findings.	Activity 3: Perspective Role-Play - Students engage in a role-play activity where they assume roles of various stakeholders in local environmental issues (e.g., residents, environmentalists, business owners). This activity aims to foster empathy and understanding of different perspectives.	Activity 4: Symbiotic Storytelling Session - Students create and present a short story or skit that portrays a symbiotic relationship between humans and the environment, inspired by their research and observations. Encourage creativity and storytelling skills.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Revised Opinion Piece - Students submit a revised version of their opinion piece, incorporating peer feedback. 2. Deliverable 2: Group Presentation on Community Conservation Project - Each group presents their findings on a local conservation project, emphasizing symbiotic relationships.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Develop peer review guidelines and provide feedback forms for the opinion piece review process. 2. Prep Task 2: Compile a list of local conservation projects and resources for students to research. 3. Prep Task 3: Prepare role-play scenarios and character profiles for the Perspective Role-Play activity. 4. Prep Task 4: Organize materials for the Symbiotic Storytelling Session, such as story prompts and props.

Week 5	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Activity 1: Final Project Presentation Preparation - Students refine their multimedia presentations, incorporating feedback from peers and teachers. Emphasize the integration of empathy-driven solutions for the local environmental issue.	Activity 2: Children's Book Creation - Students finalize and illustrate their children's book that addresses a local environmental issue. Ensure themes are accessible to younger audiences, focusing on empathy and conservation.	Activity 3: Symbiotic Solutions Fair Setup - Students prepare their exhibition booths for the Symbiotic Solutions Fair. They organize art pieces, children's books, and multimedia presentations for display.	Activity 4: Exhibition Rehearsal - Conduct a rehearsal for the Symbiotic Solutions Fair where students practice presenting their projects, focusing on clear communication and audience engagement.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Final Multimedia Presentation - Students submit their completed multimedia presentation, demonstrating their understanding and proposed solutions. 2. Deliverable 2: Children's Book - Students submit their completed children's book with illustrations, highlighting a local environmental issue and encouraging empathy. 3. Deliverable 3: Symbiotic Solutions Fair Station Plan - Students submit a detailed plan for their exhibition station, including how they will present their work at the fair.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Provide access to multimedia tools and resources needed for students to finalize their presentations and children's books. 2. Prep Task 2: Arrange the venue for the Symbiotic Solutions Fair, ensuring adequate space for each student's exhibition station. 3. Prep Task 3: Develop a feedback rubric for the exhibition rehearsal to guide students in offering constructive feedback to their peers. 4. Prep Task 4: Coordinate with community partners and invite them to attend the Symbiotic Solutions Fair to engage with students' projects and provide feedback.