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Notes for teachers

This is a quarter-long project that took 8 weeks to complete.
This lesson covers weeks 5-8
Students will work together to create eco-friendly inventions that help the environment.
They will research ideas, make prototypes, and figure out how much it would cost to make their products.
Students will create commercials to showcase their inventions and present them to parents at a special event.

List of Materials

Digital cameras or smartphones
Video editing software (if available)
Scriptwriting materials
Showcase venue
Display materials (posters, product prototypes)
Projectors (for commercials)

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Standards

Science: 6.L2U3.11: Use evidence to construct an argument regarding the impact of human activities on the environment and how they positively and negatively affect the competition for energy and resources in ecosystems.

Technology:6-8.6.a. Students select appropriate platforms and tools to create, share, and communicate their work effectively

Engineering: obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

Standards

ELA:

6.SL.4 Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

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National Standards

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.

Connection: Students work together to create "eco-friendly inventions" that help the environment, moving from research to prototype to address sustainability issues.

MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment.

Connection: Students define the scope of their invention, researching ideas and determining the cost to produce it, ensuring it is a viable solution for the "Shark Tank" market.

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE Standards for Students)

1.6 Creative Communicator: Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats, and digital media appropriate to their goals.

Connection: Students create commercials to showcase their inventions, selecting appropriate media (video, posters, scripts) to persuade their audience.

Common Core English Language Arts (CCSS.ELA)

SL.6.4: Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

Connection: Students present their final products and commercials to parents and judges at a special "Showcase" event.

W.6.1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

Connection: Students engage in scriptwriting for their commercials or write persuasive essays/speeches to promote their green products.

SL.6.5: Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information.

Connection: The lesson involves using digital cameras, video editing software, and projectors to create and display commercials and posters.

Common Core Mathematics (CCSS.MATH)

6.NS.B.3: Fluently add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit decimals using the standard algorithm for each operation.

Connection: Students "figure out how much it would cost to make their products," requiring calculations with money (decimals) to determine pricing and profitability.

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Objectives:

Overall Objective: In this 8-week project, 6th-grade students will collaborate in small groups to create eco-friendly inventions that aim to reduce their carbon footprints and promote sustainability. They will go through the process of research, prototype creation, cost analysis, commercial development, and ultimately present their products to parents at a showcase event.

Weeks 5-6 Objective: Students will create persuasive commercials to promote their products, incorporating language and communication skills.

Weeks 7-8 Objective: Students will present their eco-friendly products and commercials to parents at a showcase event, demonstrating their understanding of sustainability.

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Agenda

Timeline:

Week 1-2: Research and Ideation
Week 3-4: Prototype Creation and Cost Breakdown
Week 5-6: Commercial Creation and ELA Integration
Week 7-8: Parent Showcase and Assessment

Each week students will need 1.5 to 2 hours of time dedicated to this project. Since it is an integrated project this can be taught during many subject times.

Week 5: Write Commercials

Week 6: Create and Edit Commercials

Week 7: Prepare Showcase Presentations

Week 8: Parent Showcase

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

Overall Project Driving Question/Introduction: "How can we, as 6th-grade innovators, design eco-friendly inventions to make a positive impact on our environment and reduce our carbon footprints?"

Week 5-6 Driving Question/Introduction:

"It's time to persuade the world about the value of our eco-friendly inventions! Create persuasive commercials that showcase the benefits of your products, using language and visuals to make a compelling case for sustainability."

Week 7-8 Driving Question/Introduction:

"Presenting our innovations to the world! Share your eco-friendly products and commercials with parents, demonstrating how your creative solutions can contribute to a greener, more sustainable future."

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

"Commercial Filming"
Students work in groups to film their persuasive commercials for their eco-friendly products.
They use video cameras or smartphones to shoot the commercials, and then they edit the footage using video editing software or apps.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

"Interactive Display Booths"
Students set up interactive display booths at the parent showcase to showcase their eco-friendly products.
Each group designs and creates informative posters, product demonstrations, and interactive activities for parents to engage with their inventions.

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Assessment

Week 5-6 Formative Assessment: Commercials will be presented in class, and peer evaluations will be conducted.

Week 7-8 Summative Assessment: Parent evaluations, teacher assessment rubric (including collaboration, creativity, and presentation skills).

Overall Project Assessment Rubric:

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Differentiation

Provide a range of media options for creating commercials, such as written scripts, posters, or recorded videos, to cater to various learning styles.
Offer support in scriptwriting, including sentence starters or templates for students who may struggle with writing persuasive language.
Allow students to work in pairs or small groups, so they can collaborate and contribute their unique skills to the commercial creation process.
Offer students the option to present their products and commercials in different formats, such as live presentations, recorded videos, or interactive displays.
Provide visual aids or cue cards for students who may need support during their presentations.
Offer peer feedback sessions prior to the parent showcase, encouraging constructive feedback and improvement suggestions.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

As part of the ELA integration, students can write persuasive essays or speeches to promote their products.
Students can collaborate with the Art class to design visually appealing posters and packaging for their products.
Encourage students to reach out to local businesses or organizations for potential partnerships to implement their products on a larger scale.