Guardians of the Earth: Protecting Our Planet
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.In what ways can communities around the world balance economic needs with environmental protection to create a sustainable future?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the main threats to our environment?
- What actions can individuals take to protect the environment?
- How do different communities around the world address environmental challenges?
- What are the economic and social implications of environmental protection efforts?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to identify various environmental threats.
- Students will be able to describe actions individuals can take to protect the environment.
- Students will be able to analyze how different communities address environmental challenges.
- Students will be able to evaluate the economic and social implications of environmental protection efforts.
- Students will be able to explain how communities around the world can balance economic needs with environmental protection to create a sustainable future.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsTime Capsule Catastrophe
Students are presented with a 'time capsule' from the future containing artifacts showcasing the consequences of environmental neglect. They analyze the artifacts, research the environmental issues they represent, and create a 'survival guide' for the future, outlining actions individuals and communities can take to prevent the dystopian future depicted in the capsule. This event sparks imagination and allows students to explore the long-term implications of environmental choices in a tangible and engaging way.Development Dilemma
The town announces a plan to build a new shopping mall on a local green space. Students research the potential environmental and social impacts, interview stakeholders, and create a presentation outlining alternative development plans that balance economic growth with environmental preservation. This scenario challenges students to consider different perspectives and engage in civil discourse about complex land-use decisions.A Plea from the Wild
Students receive a cryptic message from a fictional endangered animal species describing the threats to its habitat. They must decipher the message, research the animal and its environment, and design a campaign to raise awareness and support conservation efforts, blending creative writing, scientific inquiry, and persuasive design. This event sparks empathy and encourages students to see themselves as advocates for vulnerable species and ecosystems.Cafeteria Crisis
The school cafeteria announces it's switching to all disposable packaging due to budget cuts. Students analyze the environmental impact, research alternatives, and present a proposal to the school board for a sustainable solution, linking economics, environmental science, and persuasive communication. This scenario places students in a real-world advocacy role, encouraging them to think critically about the intersection of convenience, cost, and environmental responsibility.Mystery River
A local river suddenly changes color, sparking community concern. Students investigate potential causes, interview local experts, and propose solutions to restore the river's health, connecting science, social studies, and community action. This event taps into students' sense of place and responsibility, prompting them to consider the impact of environmental changes on their own lives.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Threat Tracker: Identifying Environmental Dangers
Students will create a 'Threat Tracker' to document and categorize different environmental threats they learn about.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive Threat Tracker document or digital file, including descriptions of threats, their causes, and affected areas.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsStudents will be able to identify various environmental threats.My Green Pledge: Personal Actions for a Healthy Planet
Students will develop a 'Green Pledge' outlining specific actions they will personally commit to in order to protect the environment.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA personal Green Pledge document or presentation, detailing specific actions and their potential impact.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsStudents will be able to describe actions individuals can take to protect the environment.Community Comparison: Environmental Initiatives Around the World
Students will investigate and compare environmental protection initiatives in different communities around the world, creating a 'Community Comparison' report.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA Community Comparison report, detailing different initiatives, their effectiveness, and the challenges faced by each community.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsStudents will be able to analyze how different communities address environmental challenges.Cost-Benefit Analysis: Weighing the Impacts of Environmental Projects
Students will conduct a 'Cost-Benefit Analysis' of a specific environmental protection project, examining its economic and social impacts.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA Cost-Benefit Analysis report, outlining the economic costs and benefits, as well as the social impacts, of the chosen project.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsStudents will be able to evaluate the economic and social implications of environmental protection efforts.Sustainability Blueprint: Planning a Sustainable Future
Students will design a 'Sustainability Blueprint' for a chosen community, outlining strategies for balancing economic development with environmental protection.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA Sustainability Blueprint document or presentation, detailing specific strategies and their potential impact on the community's future.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsStudents will be able to explain how communities around the world can balance economic needs with environmental protection to create a sustainable future.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioEnvironmental Protection Portfolio Rubric
Threat Identification and Research
This category assesses the student's ability to identify, research, and categorize environmental threats.Identification of Threats
Accuracy and completeness of identified environmental threats.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies numerous environmental threats with detailed information on causes, effects, and affected areas. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of complex environmental issues.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies several environmental threats with clear information on causes, effects, and affected areas. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of key environmental issues.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some environmental threats with basic information on causes, effects, and affected areas. Shows emerging understanding of environmental issues.
Beginning
1 PointsIdentifies few environmental threats with limited information on causes, effects, and affected areas. Shows initial understanding of environmental issues.
Organization and Clarity
Organization and clarity of the Threat Tracker.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a well-organized and visually appealing Threat Tracker that is easy to navigate and understand. Information is presented logically and effectively.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a clearly organized Threat Tracker that is easy to navigate and understand. Information is presented logically.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a Threat Tracker with some organization, but may require some effort to navigate and understand. Information is presented with some logic.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a poorly organized Threat Tracker that is difficult to navigate and understand. Information lacks logical structure.
Personal Green Pledge
This category assesses the student's ability to commit to personal actions for environmental protection and explain their potential impact.Action Specificity
Specificity and measurability of the actions included in the Green Pledge.
Exemplary
4 PointsFormulates a Green Pledge with highly specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) actions. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of personal responsibility.
Proficient
3 PointsFormulates a Green Pledge with specific and measurable actions. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of personal responsibility.
Developing
2 PointsFormulates a Green Pledge with actions that are somewhat specific and measurable. Shows emerging understanding of personal responsibility.
Beginning
1 PointsFormulates a Green Pledge with actions that are vague and difficult to measure. Shows initial understanding of personal responsibility.
Benefit Explanation
Explanation of the potential environmental benefits of the pledged actions.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and insightful explanation of the potential environmental benefits of each pledged action, demonstrating a deep understanding of environmental science principles.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear explanation of the potential environmental benefits of each pledged action, demonstrating a solid understanding of environmental science principles.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of the potential environmental benefits of each pledged action. Shows emerging understanding of environmental science principles.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a limited explanation of the potential environmental benefits of each pledged action. Shows initial understanding of environmental science principles.
Community Comparison
This category assesses the student's ability to compare and contrast environmental protection initiatives in different communities.Research Depth
Depth of research into the environmental challenges and initiatives of different communities.
Exemplary
4 PointsConducts in-depth research into diverse communities, identifying complex environmental challenges and innovative initiatives. Demonstrates exceptional critical thinking and research skills.
Proficient
3 PointsConducts thorough research into different communities, identifying significant environmental challenges and effective initiatives. Demonstrates effective critical thinking and research skills.
Developing
2 PointsConducts basic research into different communities, identifying some environmental challenges and initiatives. Demonstrates basic critical thinking and research skills.
Beginning
1 PointsConducts limited research into different communities, identifying few environmental challenges and initiatives. Demonstrates minimal critical thinking and research skills.
Analysis Quality
Quality of the comparison and analysis of different initiatives.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a sophisticated comparison and analysis of different initiatives, drawing insightful conclusions about their effectiveness and the challenges faced by each community. Demonstrates advanced analytical skills.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear comparison and analysis of different initiatives, drawing logical conclusions about their effectiveness and the challenges faced by each community. Demonstrates effective analytical skills.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic comparison and analysis of different initiatives. Shows emerging analytical skills.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a limited comparison and analysis of different initiatives. Shows minimal analytical skills.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
This category assesses the student's ability to analyze the economic and social implications of environmental protection efforts.Analysis Comprehensiveness
Comprehensiveness of the cost-benefit analysis.
Exemplary
4 PointsConducts a highly comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, considering a wide range of economic and social factors with meticulous detail. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of economic and social impacts.
Proficient
3 PointsConducts a thorough cost-benefit analysis, considering key economic and social factors. Demonstrates a solid understanding of economic and social impacts.
Developing
2 PointsConducts a basic cost-benefit analysis, considering some economic and social factors. Shows emerging understanding of economic and social impacts.
Beginning
1 PointsConducts a limited cost-benefit analysis, considering few economic and social factors. Shows initial understanding of economic and social impacts.
Evaluation Objectivity
Objectivity and balance in the evaluation of the project's value.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents an objective and balanced evaluation of the project's value, acknowledging both positive and negative impacts with fairness and insight. Demonstrates exceptional critical thinking and ethical reasoning.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a balanced evaluation of the project's value, acknowledging both positive and negative impacts. Demonstrates effective critical thinking.
Developing
2 PointsPresents an evaluation of the project's value, with some acknowledgment of both positive and negative impacts. Shows emerging critical thinking.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a limited evaluation of the project's value, with minimal acknowledgment of both positive and negative impacts. Shows minimal critical thinking.
Sustainability Blueprint
This category assesses the student's ability to design strategies for balancing economic development with environmental protection.Strategy Creativity and Feasibility
Creativity and feasibility of the proposed sustainability strategies.
Exemplary
4 PointsDevelops highly creative and feasible sustainability strategies that demonstrate innovative thinking and a deep understanding of the community's specific needs and challenges. Strategies are exceptionally well-justified and practical.
Proficient
3 PointsDevelops creative and feasible sustainability strategies that demonstrate a good understanding of the community's specific needs and challenges. Strategies are well-justified and practical.
Developing
2 PointsDevelops sustainability strategies that are somewhat creative and feasible. Shows emerging understanding of the community's needs and challenges.
Beginning
1 PointsDevelops sustainability strategies that are limited in creativity and feasibility. Shows initial understanding of the community's needs and challenges.
Vision Clarity and Persuasiveness
Clarity and persuasiveness of the Sustainability Blueprint's vision.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a compelling and persuasive Sustainability Blueprint that articulates a clear and inspiring vision for the community's sustainable future. Demonstrates exceptional communication and leadership skills.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a clear and persuasive Sustainability Blueprint that articulates a vision for the community's sustainable future. Demonstrates effective communication skills.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a Sustainability Blueprint that articulates a vision for the community's sustainable future, but clarity and persuasiveness may be limited. Shows emerging communication skills.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a Sustainability Blueprint with a vague vision for the community's sustainable future. Shows minimal communication skills.