Trash Transformations: Landscapes of Change STEM Integrated Project
How have human productivity and consumption shaped our daily habits and our way of life today?
Can trash be considered "art" and can it serve as a form of trash activism?
And the most important question...How did wolves change the rivers in Yellowstone?
This project is designed to get students thinking about how personal choices they make can impact the environment around us. The culminating project for CTE course will be a 30 second social awareness video about human consumption.
Digital Photography:
In the CTE photography lessons, students will explore the relationship between human productivity and consumption; how art and activism is shining a light on waste; and construct a "trash assemblage." In the final and culminating lesson, they will create a video in order to use social media to create awareness of this issue.
ELA:
The four ELA-focused lessons are designed to deepen students' understanding of how personal choice can impact environmental change. Students do close-readings of articles discussing human choice and environmental impact, as well as discuss/debate perspectives on the topic. In the final lesson, students will take a clear position on the question: "Can one person make a difference to the environment?"
Science:
In the science lessons, students will find out how wolves can change rivers by examining a case study in Yellowstone National Park; produce a model detailing the impact that climate change has had on its ecosystem; make the connection between "Cane Toads" in Australia and invasive species and then explore ways that they can "be the change"!
This unit is brought to you by Erin Hall (CTE Arts, Media and Entertainment), Becky Brown (ELA), and Malina Olson (Science) with support from the CTE Online curriculum leadership team and detailed coordination provided by the Course Team Lead Gregg Witkin.
