Stage 3 Science and Technology Unit (NSW): Sustainable Practices ♻️

Written by James

Timeframe: 5 weeks, 10 lessons, 60 minutes per lesson

Unit Overview

This unit engages Stage 3 students in understanding and applying sustainable practices through hands-on activities and design processes. Students explore various sustainable practices, learn about their importance, and apply design thinking to create solutions for real-world environmental challenges. The unit culminates in a project where students design a sustainable solution for a community issue.

Throughout the unit, students will engage in formative assessments such as quizzes, reflection journals, and peer assessments, leading to a summative assessment in the form of a final project presentation.

Lesson Progression

Week 1: Introduction to Sustainability

  • Lesson 1: Introduce the concept of sustainability and its importance, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sustainable practices.
  • Lesson 2: Explore the impact of human activities on the environment, integrating Indigenous perspectives on land management.

Week 2: Exploring Sustainable Practices

  • Lesson 3: Focus on reducing waste through a school waste audit.
  • Lesson 4: Engage students in recycling and reusing materials through a creative art project.

Week 3: Sustainable Design

  • Lesson 5: Introduce design thinking and its application to sustainability challenges.
  • Lesson 6: Guide students in prototyping sustainable solutions using design processes.

Week 4: Implementing Sustainable Practices

  • Lesson 7: Students plan to implement a sustainable practice in the community, incorporating Indigenous knowledge.
  • Lesson 8: Students present their sustainable solutions and receive peer feedback.

Week 5: Reflection and Evaluation

  • Lesson 9: Reflect on the learning journey and the impact of sustainable practices, with a focus on Indigenous contributions.
  • Lesson 10: Evaluate the effectiveness of sustainable solutions presented by peers.

Skills Gained

  • Scientific Inquiry: Students learn to pose questions, conduct fair tests, and interpret data to support explanations and arguments.
  • Design Thinking: Students apply design processes to create, evaluate, and modify solutions, enhancing problem-solving and creativity.
  • Cultural Understanding: Through integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, students gain an appreciation for traditional knowledge and its role in sustainability.
  • Collaboration and Communication: Group activities and presentations foster teamwork and effective communication skills.
  • Critical Thinking and Reflection: Students engage in reflection and evaluation, developing the ability to assess their learning and the impact of their actions.

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