Dilworth S.T.E.M. Academy
Washoe County School District.
Eighth Grade Project One Water, it's a matter of life and death.
Project Summary
Strong collaboration skills are required for this project as students work in peer groups with intermixed responsibilities. Even though students have individual duties, all of the project's important decisions are made as a group. The students' final product is a conservation plan and filtration system model that was developed by all the members of the group.
Collaboration-
Connections to 21st Century Learning
Knowledge Construction-
Students engage in activities that guide them to construct the knowledge necessary to successfully complete their projects. Students research current ways we treat our water and how it gets contaminated. Students must apply this new knowledge to create the materials they will need for their project. Throughout the two week period, teachers across all content areas are providing student-centered lessons at were especially designed to be interdisciplinary.
Real World Problem Solving-
The main purpose of the project is for students to solve a significant problem that they can create a relevant solution to. The project is based on the problem that we need a better way to filter and conserve our community's water supply. Once students design their solutions, they are asked to present their solution to these issues.
Use of Technology for Learning-
Students use various types of technology as they gather information to complete their projects. Students combine information gathered during their fieldwork with information from digital resources. If students use a technological format for their final product, such as a digital presentation or computer-generated model, they are reaching the highest level of this competency.
Self Regulation-
Students are given an entry letter and rubric to define the learning goals and success criteria of the project. Students meet as a group to plan how they are going to utilize their time over the course of the two-week period. Every day students monitor their own progress based on the daily goals, then review their work to see what still needs to be accomplished. Group members and teachers provide feedback so that any necessary revisions can be made.
Skilled Communication-
Students are using multiple methods of communication to convey their message in their final presentations. Students have also communicated with one anther over the course of the project. The solution to the project is composed of a set of connected ideas based on the evidence that was collected throughout the project. Information is presented with rich visual supports and is logically organized to provide a coherent message to the target audience.
For this project, students reasearch the importance of water and how it is utilized. For a truly hands-on approach, the introduction to this unit includes touring local water resources, water treatment centers, and reclamation plants. Students also learn about ways to conserve water and keep our resources clean.
The end results are students working in froups to engineer their own water filtration systems and community plans for cutting down water consumption. These plans are then demonstrated to community officials for genuine feedback.