Science Project: Redesigning Sustainable Public Spaces

This article describes an eight-week science project originally reported on March 6, 2021.

Here is an introduction to lessons at CGK Afterschool.

CGK's eight-week-long project works will be based on the main “Driving Question”.

Here are the Driving Questions for this "Science" lesson.

"How can we redesign a public space to make it more environmentally sustainable?"

We followed this question with fun lessons each week that drew the student's interest.

Here are the comments of Mr. Bobby, the teacher who was in charge of the lessons.

Week 1

Entry Event. Students explored the question and as a class we created our PBL vocab book along with a list of need to know questions. As this project was the most difficult of the block I wanted to take time and break the project up into its parts. Starting with understanding the vocabulary used. Students were shown some examples of the final project.

Week 2

Students learned about design needs of their community and explored different public spaces. Students used need to know questions to guide their searching.

Week 3

As a class we explored elements of designs of different public spaces. As a class we created a SEE/THINK/WONDER chart and explored different places and examples of sustainable designs.

Week 4

Students were broken into their teams for the final project and began to explore different type of public spaces and to think of their redesigns. Using Exit tickets I gauged their understanding of the material.

Week 5

A research day as students reexamined public space elements and began to think about what public space they plan to use and how they plan to make it a more sustainable public space.

Week 6

Students using iPad researched into their public space and gathered information about their space. One group picked a public space in Taiwan, one picked a public space in Australia and the final group picked Yokohama Stadium Park. Students used a google map image to help them recreate their space.

Week 7

Students finalized their projects and practiced their presentations using the microphone.

Week 8

Final class was the presentation of their public space along with the changes they did to the design and how they made the space more sustainable for the environment.

Creating a sustainable environment required new ideas for the students.

However, they were able to work together in groups to research, think, discuss, and present their ideas for a better environment for the earth and its people.

I hope there will be more solar panels, more plants, and more nature-friendly plazas!