Sustainability
A PBL Unit by Hannah Taylor
Theme & Goals:
Sustainability
What is
Sustainability?
Learning Objectives:
To define and explore the importance of sustainability.
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To investigate how sustainability affects our planet in the oceans, lands, and air.
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To explore the human impact on a sustainable planet.
What Are Renewable & Non-Renewable Resources?
Learning Objectives:
To define and identify renewable and non-renewable resources.
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To explore the effect and potential consequences of renewable and non-renewable resources on sustainability.
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To explore and investigate carbon footprints.
What Can I Do To Live More Sustainably?
Learning Objectives:
To investigate and explore possibilities of creating a more sustainable planet.
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To create a plan or design a project that positively impacts sustainability in my house, school, or community.
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To collaborate, communicate, and get involved with the community to influence others to live more sustainably.
Cross-Curricular Goals
SCIENCE
Identify and define renewable and non-renewable resources.
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Explore the process of Photosynthesis and the importance of a green planet.
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Explore the process of plastic decay and recycling.
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Investigate and make a plan to reduce your carbon footprint
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Use the Engineering Design Process to design a sustainable creation for the future.
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Use the internet to search and identify reliable information from various sources.
ARTS
Use natural mediums (rocks, branches, flowers, etc.) to design a motivational eco-art display in your school.
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Use various mediums of art for means of expression and communication.
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Explore the purpose and impact of perspective in various media.
MATHEMATICS
Accurately use percentages and fractions to display statistical findings.
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Create a reasonable estimate of the amount of plastic you, your family, your school, and your community produce each year.
LITERACY
Write a persuasive letter to a family member, a community member, or a public official. OR Write and present a speech to a family member, community member, or public official using persuasive language.
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Summarize and make connections to various non-fiction sources
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Design a step by step plan using instructional writing
GEOGRAPHY &
HISTORY
Use a timeline to demonstrate understanding of chronological order and significant events in time.
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Demonstrate ability to use and understanding of maps by creating a map that displays landfills and pollution of an area.
Students will be researching, exploring, and experimenting with various sources and materials to identify renewable and non-renewable resources, investigate carbon footprints, and more.
STEAM Components
Science
In various activities, students will be developing their digital literacy skills by using a device, with access to the internet, to locate and analyze information from various sources.
Technology
Students will learn about and apply the Engineering Design Process as they invent a sustainable creation for the future. They will also explore real inventions that have had an impact on sustainability.
Engineering
Multiple activities will provide students with the opportunity to explore various mediums and demonstrate their ability to use those mediums for expression and communication. Students will also begin to explore the purpose and impact of perspective in various forms of media, such as images, paintings, written articles.
Art
Students will explore the use of fractions and percentages to display statistical findings in the media.
Math
21st Century Skills
Problem-Solving
Students will be finding solutions and developing plans to decrease their own carbon footprint, increase sustainability at home or in their community.
Collaboration
When designing plans or projects in this unit, students can work in groups and will be encouraged to reach out to experts, conduct surveys, and collaborate with the community in and outside of school.
Communication
In addition to the collaboration opportunities to develop their communication skills, students will be developing their communication skills through writing letters and presenting persuasive speeches.
Critical Thinking
As students research and explore the statistics and information on pollution, climate change, and sustainability, they will need to analyze, contrast, and compare sources to find reliable information. Students will have various opportunities to question the way society is currently handling sustainability and problem solve ways that this can be improved.
Creativity
The students will have multiple opportunities to use various mediums to create art and will be encouraged to innovate and share new ideas as solutions or suggestions for problem solving.
Information, media, & technology skills
Throughout the unit, students will be using the internet and various media sources to find information, communicate, and collaborate which will increase their digital literacy skills and provide opportunities to address digital citizenship.