This is a cross-curricular project between Science and Geography that allows students the opportunity to explore, research, and ‘experience’ sustainability with a focus on water in their local and global community. It is suggested that this project be assigned in the latter part of the school year. Since the environment is a central focus in both the Science and Geography curriculums, it will build on the students’ prior knowledge. In this project, students are encouraged to bring awareness and/or take action on an environmental water issue. In doing so, the students gain a deeper understanding about the issue, about themselves, and about their responsibility to be stewards of the environment. Students will choose a topic of their choice, conduct specific research/learning for that topic, and then create a poster board and interactive activity/activities in order for others to essentially ‘experience sustainability’. The purpose behind this project is to help people learn about environmental issues using a hands-on approach and actions that they can take to minimize their environmental footprint. A suggestion for the culminating activity is to organize an Eco-Fair for the students to display and present their projects to the rest of the school and/or the community. Please note that this project does not need to be cross-curricular between Science and Geography. It can absolutely be a stand-alone for each subject. Other curricular areas could be integrated such as Visual Arts, Literacy or Mathematics.
Related Resources:
USING BIRDS TO STUDY OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
Categories: Lab/Student Activity, Lesson Plan, Unit Plan
A minimum of 12 weeks is suggested for this inquiry. Time required will depend on students' prior knowledge, skill set, level of interest and additional time to complete work. read more
Teacher Demonstration: Plant Tropisms
Categories: Lab/Student Activity, Teacher Demonstration
This student activity illustrates how plants grow away from or towards a stimulus by continuing cell growth and elongation on one side of the stem while ceasing cell growth and elongation on the... read more
Teacher Demo/Student Activity: Limit to Cell Size
Categories: Lab/Student Activity, Teacher Demonstration
Cells require a constant supply of glucose and oxygen to produce energy. Cellular respiration occurs in the mitochondria of a cell. As a result of this process, large quantities of waste carbon... read more