Goals

 

Details

Duration: 45 minutes

Assessments: Student discussions

Materials: manilla folders (one for each group), computer, lcd projector, projection screen, large paper, markers

 

Description

Groups were chosen before the project started by me based on balance of skill sets in a hetergeneous classroom. This project overview was handed out to students. We read it aloud together and went over the different benchmarks - I fielded questions about the benchmarks and also allowed students to offer their interpritations based on previous experiences. To get students organized, students were given a folder to staple the benchmark overview onto - these project folders stayed in the classroom in class groups for the duration of the project. I used this sheet to keep track of benchmarks completed for each group.

After we talked through the project outline, I accessed a PSA from Youtube to show students roughly what the final PSA should look like. I was careful to choose a PSA that was student made. One that might be applicable was this example of a student PSA about smoking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySdTskOF-24. While it was playing, I asked for students to look for qualities that make the PSA persuasive. After we were done watching it, we listed on large sheets of all of the student observations and kept those posted around the classroom to remind students of their ultimate goal.

CA Geology - The Launch
description of benchmarks...
Download (58K)

PSA: Environmental Damage in Bayview-Hunterpoint District
This is an example of the final piece that students submitted. The students who worked together to complete these movie...
Download (3.7M)

PSA: Environmental Hazards of Mining in California
This is an example of the final piece that students submitted. The students who worked together to complete these movies...
Download (5.8M)

Author Reflections

Students responded to the introduction well. Their response, I believe, relied on their previous experiences with projects, the opportunity to use digital media skills in science class, and my enthusiasm while presenting it. Student feedback for large scale projects across disciplines emphasized a request for an outline of the overall project at the beginning of the project, so students were excited to see a list of benchmarks. Traditionally in Integrated Science class, students have been exposed to a variety of mediums and materials, so they were experienced with and also excited about being able to create a movie as the final piece. The project outline was puposefully dry (more of a clear list), so I supplemented the introduction with a lot of media - including a clip from "An Inconvenient Truth" and other student created PSA's.