7Cs Greenhouse

Project Description

Students will research, design, plan, and build a greenhouse out of recycled water bottles. While working on this project students will communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and demonstrate critical thinking skills. To begin the project, we will start a community drive for water bottles. Meanwhile, students in grades 5 and 6 will research designs of greenhouses and put together a building plan to be presented to a panel of experts. Grades 3 and 4 will use inquiry to research related greenhouse topics such as, “How will we capture the rain water?”, “What is the best soil to use?”, “What plants grow best in our environment?”. After the 5/6 grade students have presented their designs and the panel has given feedback, students will redesign and submit final building plans by December. Students in grades 3/4 will decide on a topic to help plan for what will go into the greenhouse (plants, soil, water, etc.). After the panel has selected the final building plan, construction will begin in January. During the 7Cs class students will be guided by Peter Mann (art teacher) in constructing the greenhouse piece by piece indoors. Students will also be making clay planter pots. In March, the greenhouse will be assembled outdoors and work will begin on the rain retention system, seedlings, etc.

How will the project be evaluated (e.g. how will you gauge its success)

The project will be deemed successful when the students have gone through the process of researching, designing, planning, and building the greenhouse. Teacher observation will be used to evaluate the collaboration of students. Our hope is that the greenhouse will become a place for class to extend their learning.

Benefit to the students and the school

Students will benefit by working together on a real world project. Students will be able to connect what they are learning in the classroom to the skills and knowledge they need for this project. Our 7Cs- curiosity, character, critical thinking, community, collaboration, communication, and creativity will all be addressed during this project. The school will benefit from the greenhouse in the learning that students gain from the project, and (hopefully) some vegetables it produces.

Timeline of Project (when will you do the project, if applicable)

Our project plan is to begin this October collecting bottles, plan/design November-December, build January to March, and finalize/utilize the greenhouse March-August.