Biodiversity Gardens: Cultivating Future Environmental Stewards

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Biodiversity Gardens: Cultivating Future Environmental Stewards

Grade 6Science20 days

This 6th-grade science project, 'Biodiversity Gardens: Cultivating Future Environmental Stewards,' involves students designing and creating a biodiversity garden that supports local plant species and attracts pollinators, while educating the community about biodiversity's importance and human impacts. Following an inquiry framework, students engage in various activities such as virtual biodiversity exploration, design challenges, and a community outreach campaign. Through these activities, they learn about plant-pollinator interactions, the role of pollinators in ecosystems, and how human activities affect biodiversity.

BiodiversityPollinatorsEcosystemsHuman ImpactsGarden DesignCommunity Education

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design and create a unique biodiversity garden that supports local plant species, attracts pollinators, and educates our community about biodiversity’s importance and the impacts of human activities?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What is biodiversity and why is it important?
How do different plant species interact with their environment?
What role do pollinators play in ecosystems and how do they affect biodiversity?
How can we design a garden that supports local biodiversity?
In what ways do human activities impact biodiversity in both positive and negative ways?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Understand the concept of biodiversity and its importance in ecosystems.
Identify local plant species and describe their roles in their environment.
Recognize the importance and role of pollinators in maintaining biodiversity.
Design and create a biodiversity garden that supports local species and attracts pollinators.
Analyze the impacts of human activities on biodiversity, highlighting both positive and negative effects.
Communicate the importance of biodiversity to the community and propose actions to support it.

NGSS

SCI.MS.LS2-2

Primary

Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystemsReason: This standard aligns with understanding plant species interactions in the garden ecosystem.

SCI.MS.LS2-4

Primary

Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populationsReason: Aligns with learning about human impacts on biodiversity.

SCI.MS.LS2-5

Primary

Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem servicesReason: Supports designing the biodiversity garden to maintain ecosystem services.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Virtual Tour of Global Biodiversity Hotspots

Kick-off with a virtual reality tour of some of the world's most diverse ecosystems, such as the Amazon Rainforest or the Great Barrier Reef, showcasing the rich variety of plant and animal life. This immersive experience will serve as a springboard for students to relate local biodiversity efforts to global conservation challenges and opportunities.

Interactive Plant-Pollinator Simulation Game

Engage students with a simulation game that allows them to create and manage a virtual garden, understanding the symbiotic relationships between plants and pollinators. This gamified approach introduces them to ecological principles in a fun and relatable manner.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Virtual Biodiversity Exploration

Students will independently explore their local environment virtually to identify and study various plant species. Leveraging digital resources, they will note the biodiversity present and investigate these plants' ecological roles.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Instruct students to use virtual tours or online databases to explore local plant species and their characteristics.

2. Have students individually note their observations about each species, including its characteristics, interactions with other organisms (such as pollinators), and any data from trusted sources.

3. Guide students to create a digital journal documenting their findings, focusing on the variety of species and their ecological roles.

4. Students will compile a digital presentation summarizing their discoveries and insights into local biodiversity.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn independent digital presentation on local plant species and their ecological roles.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SCI.MS.LS2-2 by understanding plant species interactions in local ecosystems.

Activity 2

Pollinator Partnership Workshop

Students learn about the critical role of pollinators in maintaining biodiversity by engaging in research and hands-on activities like creating pollinator-friendly plant lists.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Guide students in researching different types of pollinators and the plants they favor in the local environment.

2. Ask students to create a list of local plants that are known to attract and support pollinators, using their research findings.

3. Have students design a simple flyer to educate the community about the importance of pollinators and which plants help support them.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA community-oriented flyer that educates about the role of pollinators and plant suggestions to attract them.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports SCI.MS.LS2-4 by understanding how biological changes affect populations and ecosystem dynamics.

Activity 3

Garden Design Challenge

Students apply their knowledge by collaboratively designing a layout for a biodiversity garden that incorporates native plants to attract pollinators, using diagrams and digital tools.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Provide students with a blueprint of the available garden space and guidelines, including must-have features like plant diversity and pollinator attractions.

2. Organize a brainstorming session where students can discuss and sketch potential design elements for the garden, ensuring the support of local species.

3. Utilize digital design tools, such as a simple CAD program or online garden planning software, to create a more detailed garden layout.

4. Have students present their garden designs to the class, explaining the choice of plant species and design elements that support biodiversity.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed garden layout designed to maximize local biodiversity and attract pollinators.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SCI.MS.LS2-5 by designing solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Activity 4

Human Impact Symposium

Students research and analyze both positive and negative impacts of human activities on biodiversity, culminating in a symposium to present their findings and proposed solutions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Assign each student a specific human activity to research, focusing on its impact on local and global biodiversity.

2. Instruct students to write a short report that details their findings, including both negative impacts and potential positive contributions or solutions.

3. Guide students in developing a visual presentation, such as a poster or slide deck, to complement their report.

4. Host a class symposium where students present their findings and engage in a Q&A session with peers.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA research report and visual presentation on human impacts on biodiversity.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses parts of SCI.MS.LS2-4 by constructing arguments supported by evidence regarding ecosystem impacts.

Activity 5

Community Outreach Campaign

Students will synthesize their knowledge into a public awareness campaign, aiming to educate the local community about the importance of biodiversity and actions that support it.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Have students brainstorm and identify key messages and facts from their projects to include in the campaign.

2. Organize students into teams, each responsible for a different aspect of the campaign, such as social media, posters, or community events.

3. Guide each team in developing their materials, ensuring they convey the importance of biodiversity and actionable steps the community can take.

4. Launch and distribute the campaign materials through appropriate channels, such as local events, online platforms, and school activities.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive community campaign to raise awareness about biodiversity and encourage community actions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsReinforces the understanding and communication of biodiversity's importance, fulfilling learning goals.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Biodiversity Garden Project Rubric

Category 1

Understanding Biodiversity

Evaluates the student's grasp of biodiversity concepts and their importance to ecosystems.

Criterion 1

Comprehension of Biodiversity

Measures the understanding of biodiversity concepts and their application.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates advanced understanding of biodiversity, articulating connections between plant and pollinator interactions and broader ecosystem services.

Proficient

3 Points

Shows thorough understanding of biodiversity, explaining plant and pollinator roles adequately.

Developing

2 Points

Displays basic understanding of biodiversity concepts, with some inaccuracies in explanation.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows limited understanding of biodiversity, unable to correctly explain fundamental concepts.

Criterion 2

Impact of Human Activities

Assesses understanding of how human activities affect biodiversity positively and negatively.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides a nuanced analysis of human interactions with biodiversity, highlighting both impacts and innovative solutions.

Proficient

3 Points

Explains human impacts on biodiversity effectively, with examples of both positive and negative effects.

Developing

2 Points

Lists basic human impacts on biodiversity with minimal detail or understanding.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify human impacts on biodiversity, showing little understanding.

Category 2

Research and Communication

Measures effectiveness in conducting research and communicating findings.

Criterion 1

Research Skills

Evaluates ability to gather, interpret, and synthesize information from various sources.

Exemplary

4 Points

Conducts comprehensive research, integrating information from multiple high-quality sources effectively.

Proficient

3 Points

Performs thorough research using quality sources and synthesizes information well.

Developing

2 Points

Completes basic research with limited sources, showing partial synthesis of information.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to gather and interpret information, with little synthesis evident.

Criterion 2

Communication of Findings

Assesses the clarity and impact of communicating findings through written and visual means.

Exemplary

4 Points

Communicates findings clearly and persuasively, using effective visuals and compelling arguments.

Proficient

3 Points

Communicates findings clearly with appropriate visuals and sound reasoning.

Developing

2 Points

Communicates findings with some clarity, using visuals that partially support arguments.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to communicate findings clearly, with ineffective or absent visuals.

Category 3

Design and Implementation

Evaluates the creativity and feasibility of garden design and its potential ecosystem impact.

Criterion 1

Design Creativity

Assesses creativity and innovativeness in the garden design process.

Exemplary

4 Points

Design shows exceptional creativity and originality, integrating diverse elements to support biodiversity innovatively.

Proficient

3 Points

Design displays creativity and integrates multiple elements to support biodiversity.

Developing

2 Points

Design integrates basic elements with limited creativity.

Beginning

1 Points

Design lacks creativity and fails to integrate necessary elements effectively.

Criterion 2

Feasibility and Impact

Measures the practicality of the garden design and its expected impact on local biodiversity.

Exemplary

4 Points

Design is highly feasible and has a clear, positive impact on local biodiversity, with detailed implementation strategies.

Proficient

3 Points

Design is feasible and expected to positively impact biodiversity, with clear implementation steps.

Developing

2 Points

Design is partially feasible with some positive impact expected, though implementation details are lacking.

Beginning

1 Points

Design is not feasible and offers unclear or minimal impact on biodiversity.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on your experience creating the biodiversity garden. What challenges did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?

Text

Required

Question 2

How much do you feel your understanding of biodiversity has improved through this project?

Scale

Required

Question 3

Which activity or project phase contributed most to your learning about the role of pollinators in ecosystems?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Virtual Biodiversity Exploration

Pollinator Partnership Workshop

Garden Design Challenge

Human Impact Symposium

Community Outreach Campaign

Question 4

In what ways has this project changed your perspective on the impact of human activities on biodiversity?

Text

Required

Question 5

Rate your confidence in communicating the importance of biodiversity to others after completing this project.

Scale

Required