Urban Farming: Light Up Your Greens
Created byPhillip Charles Alcock
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Urban Farming: Light Up Your Greens

Grade 7Science5 days
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we manipulate light to maximize the growth of different plant species in an urban farm, and what are the potential benefits and challenges of this approach for sustainable resource management?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How does light intensity affect plant growth?
  • What are the optimal light conditions for different plant species in an urban setting?
  • How can we manipulate light to maximize plant growth in urban environments?
  • What are the challenges and benefits of urban farming in terms of resource management?
  • How can data analysis inform sustainable practices in urban farming?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to design and conduct an experiment to test the effects of different light levels on plant growth.
  • Students will be able to analyze and interpret data to draw conclusions about the relationship between light intensity and plant growth.
  • Students will be able to apply their understanding of light and plant growth to propose solutions for optimizing plant growth in urban farming scenarios.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of urban farming practices for sustainable resource management.

NGSS

MS-LS2-1
Primary
Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on cause and effect relationships between resources and growth of individual organisms and the numbers of organisms in ecosystems during periods of abundant and scarce resources.]Reason: This standard directly aligns with the project's focus on investigating the impact of light (a resource) on plant growth.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The Alien Seeds

A mysterious package arrives containing seeds from a newly discovered plant species that thrives in low-light conditions. Students investigate the plant's unique photosynthetic properties and apply their findings to improve light efficiency in urban farms.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Mung Bean Sprout Chronicles

Students will document the growth of their mung bean under specific light conditions, focusing on observable changes like sprout length, root length, and color. They will use both qualitative and quantitative data in their observations to develop a baseline understanding of mung bean growth in different light environments.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Prepare your mung bean for sprouting by soaking it in water overnight.
2. Set up a designated observation area for your sprouted mung bean with the assigned light condition (e.g., low light, medium light, high light).
3. Create an observation journal with sections for each day of the experiment. Include spaces for written descriptions, sketches, and measurements.
4. Observe your mung bean daily, noting any changes in sprout length, root length, color, and overall health. Record your observations in your journal, using descriptive language and accurate measurements.
5. Sketch your mung bean regularly, paying attention to detail and accurately depicting its growth over time. Label the sketches with the date and any relevant observations.
6. Measure and record the sprout length and root length of your mung bean using a ruler or measuring tape. Note any changes in color. Include these measurements in your journal.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed observation journal with daily entries, including written descriptions, sketches, and measurements of mung bean growth. This journal will serve as the initial data set for the project.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-LS2-1: Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability... This activity focuses on observing and recording the growth of mung beans, providing initial data for later analysis.
Activity 2

Data Detectives: Unveiling Plant Growth Patterns

Students will visually represent and analyze their collected data to identify patterns and trends in plant growth under different light conditions. They will use graphs and charts to compare the growth rates and overall health of plants in various light environments.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Compile the data from your observation journals, creating a table or spreadsheet organizing plant height, leaf size, and other relevant measurements over time.
2. Create a line graph for each plant, plotting its height over the duration of the experiment. Use different colors to represent plants grown under different light conditions.
3. Create a bar graph comparing the average height and leaf size of plants grown under different light conditions at the end of the experiment.
4. Write a summary of your findings, describing the observed patterns in plant growth. Explain how different light levels influenced the growth and health of the plants.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityGraphs and charts visualizing the collected data, demonstrating the impact of different light levels on plant growth. Students will also write a summary of their findings, explaining the observed patterns and making initial conclusions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-LS2-1: Analyze and interpret data... This activity reinforces the standard by having students represent and analyze collected data to understand the effect of light on plant growth.
Activity 3

Urban Farm Architects: Designing for Optimal Plant Growth

Students will apply their findings to real-world urban farming scenarios. They will design a theoretical urban farm layout that optimizes light for plant growth, considering factors like building placement, window orientation, and supplementary lighting systems.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review your data analysis and conclusions. Identify the optimal light conditions for the plant species you investigated.
2. Research different types of urban farming systems, such as vertical farms, rooftop gardens, and hydroponic systems. Consider their advantages and disadvantages.
3. Design a theoretical urban farm layout that maximizes the use of natural light. Consider the position of buildings, window orientation, and the use of reflective surfaces.
4. Incorporate artificial lighting strategies to supplement natural light where needed. Consider factors like energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
5. Create a blueprint or a scaled model of your urban farm design. Label all components, including the type of plants, lighting systems, and other relevant features.
6. Write a proposal explaining your urban farm design. Justify your choices based on your experimental findings and research. Discuss the potential benefits and challenges of your design.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed blueprint or model of an urban farm, demonstrating the strategic use of natural and artificial light to maximize plant growth. Accompanying this will be a written proposal explaining the design choices and their justifications based on the experimental findings.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-LS2-1: Analyze and interpret data... and apply their findings to urban farming scenarios. This activity asks students to draw conclusions about optimal light conditions and relate them to urban farming.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Urban Farming: Light Optimization Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Experimental Design and Execution

Assessment of student's ability to design, conduct, and document an experiment that tests the effects of light on plant growth.
Criterion 1

Experiment Design

Quality and clarity of the experimental setup, including control of variables and hypothesis formulation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Designs a detailed and clear experiment with well-defined variables and hypotheses, demonstrating a deep understanding of scientific inquiry principles.

Proficient
3 Points

Designs a comprehensive experiment with clear variables and hypotheses, showing a solid grasp of scientific inquiry principles.

Developing
2 Points

Designs a basic experiment with some variables and hypotheses identified, indicating an emerging understanding of scientific inquiry principles.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to design an experiment, with poorly defined variables and hypotheses, showing an initial understanding of scientific inquiry principles.

Criterion 2

Data Collection

Precision and regularity in collecting, documenting, and observing measurable data throughout the experiment.

Exemplary
4 Points

Collects precise and detailed data regularly, using appropriate tools and methods. Documentation is thorough and well-organized.

Proficient
3 Points

Collects clear and consistent data, using suitable tools and methods. Documentation is organized and complete.

Developing
2 Points

Collects basic data with some inconsistencies. Documentation is partly organized and occasionally incomplete.

Beginning
1 Points

Collects minimal data with significant inconsistencies. Documentation is disorganized and largely incomplete.

Category 2

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Evaluates the student's ability to analyze collected data and draw meaningful conclusions about plant growth under different light conditions.
Criterion 1

Data Representation

Effectiveness in visualizing data using graphs, charts, and other tools to communicate findings.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates insightful and precise data visualizations, effectively using graphs and charts to highlight key findings and patterns.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops clear data visualizations, using graphs and charts to convey findings and patterns effectively.

Developing
2 Points

Produces basic data visualizations that communicate some patterns and findings.

Beginning
1 Points

Produces insufficient or unclear data visualizations that fail to communicate findings effectively.

Criterion 2

Conclusions and Justifications

Logical conclusions and justification based on analysis of the data collected.

Exemplary
4 Points

Draws insightful conclusions, supported by robust evidence and logical reasoning, clearly justified with reference to data.

Proficient
3 Points

Draws sound conclusions, supported by appropriate evidence and reasoning, mostly justified by data.

Developing
2 Points

Draws basic conclusions with some supporting evidence and reasoning, partially justified by data.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to draw conclusions, with minimal evidence and reasoning, insufficiently justified by data.

Category 3

Application to Urban Farming

Assessment of student's ability to apply experimental findings to design a sustainable urban farming scenario.
Criterion 1

Urban Farm Design

Creativity and feasibility of urban farm design, incorporating findings from the experiment and research into urban farming systems.

Exemplary
4 Points

Designs an innovative and practical urban farm, effectively integrating experimental findings and comprehensive research into the layout.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops a creative and feasible urban farm design, integrating most experimental findings and relevant research.

Developing
2 Points

Creates a basic urban farm design, incorporating some experimental findings and research.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to design a feasible urban farm, with minimal integration of experimental findings and research.

Criterion 2

Proposal and Justification

Coherence and depth of explanation in the written proposal of the urban farm design.

Exemplary
4 Points

Crafts a comprehensive proposal that clearly and persuasively explains the urban farm design, fully justified with evidence and research.

Proficient
3 Points

Writes a clear proposal that explains the urban farm design, mostly justified with evidence and research.

Developing
2 Points

Produces a proposal that explains parts of the urban farm design, with limited justification from evidence and research.

Beginning
1 Points

Writes an incomplete proposal with weak explanation and justification of the urban farm design.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on the entire Urban Farming project. What were your key takeaways regarding the relationship between light and plant growth?

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Question 2

How did the "Mung Bean Sprout Chronicles" activity contribute to your overall understanding of plant growth and experimental design?

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Question 3

In the "Data Detectives" activity, you analyzed and visualized your collected data. What challenges did you encounter during this process, and how did you overcome them?

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Question 4

How did your experimental findings inform the design of your urban farm in the "Urban Farm Architects" activity?

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Question 5

What are some potential real-world applications of your findings from this project?

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Question 6

On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident are you in your ability to design and conduct scientific experiments?

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