Stewart Manor School fifth graders in Vanessa Buchanan and Cari Clementi’s class are currently working on a science project-based learning (PBL) about space.
PBL involves students working on a project for an extended period that answers a driving question. The students’ driving question was: “How can you survive on another planet in our solar system?”
Split into heterogeneous groups, the students were tasked with selecting a planet or moon to settle on. The groups selected Mars, one of Jupiter’s moons Ganymede, one of Mars’ moons Phobos, one of Saturn’s moons Titan and dwarf planet Ceres. Throughout the PBL, students researched their planet or moon, as well as came up with ideas on how to cope with challenges such as food, water, shelter, oxygen and communication methods.
The PBL encompasses research, creativity, collaboration and presentation. It is a cross-curriculum project, as well, as the students utilized ENL books to research the solar system, space, and the planets and moons. To culminate the project, the groups will create 3D models of their how people would survive on their chosen planet or moon. The students plan to present their Keynote slides and 3D models to parents on May 21.
Date Added: 5/7/2024