Landscape Architects: Designing Sustainable Landscapes for the Future
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as landscape architects of the future, design a sustainable landscape that minimizes the effects of weathering and erosion, while considering the patterns in rock formations, maps and different land formations?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do weathering and erosion change landscapes over time?
- How can we design landscapes that are sustainable and minimize erosion?
- What patterns can we observe in rock formations and maps to understand Earth’s features and changes?
- How do different land formations affect landscape design?
- What impact does vegetation have on weathering and erosion?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the processes of weathering and erosion and their impact on landscapes.
- Apply knowledge of rock formations, land formations, and maps to design sustainable landscapes.
- Design a landscape that minimizes the effects of weathering and erosion.
- Analyze and interpret data from maps and rock formations to inform design decisions.
NGSS
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Case of the Disappearing Garden
A local community garden is experiencing rapid erosion, threatening its existence. Students are called in as junior landscape architects to investigate the causes of the erosion and design a plan to save the garden, connecting the project to a real-world problem they can directly impact.Time-Lapse Earth
Show students a captivating time-lapse video of a landscape dramatically changing over decades or centuries due to natural processes. Challenge them to identify the specific weathering, erosion, and land formation processes visible in the video, prompting inquiry into the long-term effects and patterns of these changes.Erosion Escape Room
Students enter an 'escape room' scenario where they must solve a series of puzzles related to weathering, erosion, and land formations to 'save' a landmark from being destroyed. This gamified entry event encourages collaborative problem-solving and reinforces key concepts in an engaging, hands-on way.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Rock Formation Detective
Students investigate different types of rock formations to understand how they change over time due to weathering and erosion. They will document their findings, focusing on patterns and evidence of change.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 detailed journal entry with descriptions and illustrations of rock formations, highlighting evidence of weathering and erosion.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 4 ESS 1-1 by identifying evidence from patterns in rock formations to explain landscape changes over time.Erosion Experiment Extravaganza
Students conduct experiments to observe the effects of water, wind, and vegetation on erosion rates. They will measure and record data, analyzing how different factors influence erosion.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 lab report summarizing the experimental setup, data collected, and analysis of the effects of different factors on erosion rates.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 4 ESS 2-1 by providing evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.Mapping Earth's Features
Students analyze and interpret data from maps to identify patterns of Earth’s features, such as mountains, valleys, and plains. They will use this information to understand how these features influence landscape design.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn annotated map showcasing different Earth features and a written explanation of how these features impact landscape design.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 4 ESS 2-2 by analyzing and interpreting data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features.Sustainable Landscape Design Challenge
Students apply their knowledge of weathering, erosion, rock formations, and Earth’s features to design a sustainable landscape for a specific location. They will create a detailed plan that minimizes erosion and maximizes sustainability.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 detailed landscape design plan, including a presentation or model, that demonstrates an understanding of weathering, erosion, and sustainable design principles.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsIntegrates 4 ESS 1-1, 4 ESS 2-1, and 4 ESS 2-2 by applying knowledge of rock formations, erosion, and Earth’s features to design a sustainable landscape.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioLandscape Architects of the Future Portfolio Rubric
Understanding of Weathering and Erosion
Demonstrates understanding of the processes of weathering and erosion and their impact on landscapes.Rock Formation Analysis
Identifies and describes different types of rock formations and their susceptibility to weathering and erosion.
Exemplary
4 PointsAccurately identifies and describes various rock formations, providing detailed explanations of their unique characteristics and vulnerabilities to weathering and erosion. Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of the relationships between rock type and landscape change.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies and describes common rock formations, explaining how weathering and erosion affect them. Demonstrates a clear understanding of the basic relationships between rock type and landscape change.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some rock formations but struggles to explain how weathering and erosion affect them. Shows a limited understanding of the relationship between rock type and landscape change.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify rock formations or explain the effects of weathering and erosion. Demonstrates minimal understanding of the relationship between rock type and landscape change.
Erosion Experimentation
Conducts and analyzes experiments to demonstrate the effects of water, wind, and vegetation on erosion rates.
Exemplary
4 PointsDesigns and conducts experiments with meticulous attention to detail, collecting precise data and conducting insightful analysis to explain the complex interactions between water, wind, vegetation, and erosion rates. Communicates findings with exceptional clarity and depth.
Proficient
3 PointsConducts experiments effectively, collecting relevant data and analyzing the effects of water, wind, and vegetation on erosion rates. Presents findings clearly and concisely.
Developing
2 PointsConducts experiments with some inconsistencies, collecting incomplete data and struggling to analyze the effects of water, wind, and vegetation on erosion rates. Presentation of findings lacks clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to conduct experiments or collect meaningful data. Demonstrates minimal understanding of the effects of water, wind, and vegetation on erosion rates. Fails to present findings effectively.
Application of Knowledge to Landscape Design
Applies knowledge of rock formations, land formations, and maps to design sustainable landscapes.Map Analysis and Interpretation
Analyzes and interprets data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features and their influence on landscape design.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated map analysis skills, identifying intricate patterns of Earth's features and providing insightful explanations of how these features profoundly influence landscape design considerations. Integrates diverse map data to inform innovative and sustainable design solutions.
Proficient
3 PointsAnalyzes and interprets map data effectively, identifying key patterns of Earth’s features and explaining their influence on landscape design. Uses map data to inform design decisions.
Developing
2 PointsStruggles to analyze and interpret map data consistently, identifying some patterns of Earth’s features but failing to fully explain their influence on landscape design. Limited use of map data in design decisions.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates minimal map analysis skills, failing to identify patterns of Earth’s features or explain their influence on landscape design. Does not use map data to inform design decisions.
Sustainable Landscape Design
Develops a landscape design plan that incorporates strategies to minimize erosion and maximize sustainability.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates an exceptionally detailed and innovative landscape design plan that seamlessly integrates advanced erosion control strategies and cutting-edge sustainability principles. Demonstrates a profound understanding of ecological balance and long-term environmental impact.
Proficient
3 PointsDevelops a detailed landscape design plan that incorporates effective strategies to minimize erosion and maximize sustainability. Demonstrates a clear understanding of erosion control and sustainability principles.
Developing
2 PointsDevelops a basic landscape design plan that includes some strategies to minimize erosion and promote sustainability, but lacks detail and consistency. Shows a limited understanding of erosion control and sustainability principles.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to develop a landscape design plan or incorporate strategies to minimize erosion and promote sustainability. Demonstrates minimal understanding of erosion control and sustainability principles.
Communication and Presentation
Presents the landscape design with clear explanations and justifications of design choices.Clarity of Explanation
Provides clear and concise explanations of the rationale behind design choices, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the underlying principles.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents design choices with exceptional clarity and depth, providing insightful and nuanced explanations that demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the underlying principles and their real-world applications. Effectively anticipates and addresses potential questions or concerns.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides clear and concise explanations of the rationale behind design choices, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the underlying principles.
Developing
2 PointsProvides explanations of design choices that are sometimes unclear or incomplete, demonstrating a limited understanding of the underlying principles.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to explain the rationale behind design choices, demonstrating minimal understanding of the underlying principles.
Quality of Presentation
Presents a well-organized and visually appealing presentation or model of the landscape design.
Exemplary
4 PointsDelivers a compelling and visually stunning presentation or model that showcases the landscape design with exceptional artistry and attention to detail. The presentation is meticulously organized, engaging, and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a well-organized and visually appealing presentation or model of the landscape design.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a presentation or model that is somewhat disorganized or lacks visual appeal. Some aspects of the design may be unclear.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a poorly organized or visually unappealing presentation or model. The design is difficult to understand.