Maintaining an Maintaining an Outdoor LaboratoryOutdoor Laboratory

Sheri HiggsSheri Higgs

BackgroundBackground

In the 2008-2009 school year, the In the 2008-2009 school year, the Environmental Science class created Environmental Science class created and built an outdoor laboratory. This and built an outdoor laboratory. This lab included a greenhouse and raised lab included a greenhouse and raised beds for cultivating plants.beds for cultivating plants.

The students were responsible for all The students were responsible for all phases of the project from obtaining phases of the project from obtaining permission from the School Board to permission from the School Board to the construction of the greenhouse.the construction of the greenhouse.

We started with thisWe started with this

And at the end of the yearAnd at the end of the year

We accomplished this!We accomplished this!

Ongoing challengeOngoing challenge

Outdoor laboratories can be a Outdoor laboratories can be a maintenance nightmare. Our maintenance nightmare. Our challenge is to provide continued challenge is to provide continued maintenance and upgrades to the maintenance and upgrades to the area.area.

FACTS based lessonFACTS based lesson

Summary of Proposed Lesson:Summary of Proposed Lesson: Students will develop a plan for the maintenance, Students will develop a plan for the maintenance,

use and sustainability of the school’s existing use and sustainability of the school’s existing greenhouse and outdoor laboratory. The plan will greenhouse and outdoor laboratory. The plan will include maintenance of the grounds surrounding the include maintenance of the grounds surrounding the greenhouse, the structure and the planting area. It greenhouse, the structure and the planting area. It will also need to provide for obtaining needed will also need to provide for obtaining needed materials for any repairs and/or upgrades to the area materials for any repairs and/or upgrades to the area and structures. Students will also collaborate with and structures. Students will also collaborate with other grades and science classes to determine the other grades and science classes to determine the needs for any projects for other classes. The process needs for any projects for other classes. The process will require creating, presenting, receiving approval will require creating, presenting, receiving approval for, and implementing plans for procuring any funds for, and implementing plans for procuring any funds necessary for purchase of materials, plants and necessary for purchase of materials, plants and supplies.supplies.

FoundationsFoundationsLiteracyLiteracy

Symbolic CompetenceSymbolic Competence: : – Students will research various forms of media Students will research various forms of media

such as internet, periodicals, books and videos such as internet, periodicals, books and videos to determine appropriate methods of to determine appropriate methods of maintaining greenhouses and gardens. maintaining greenhouses and gardens. Students will also search catalogs, both print Students will also search catalogs, both print and web based, for materials necessary to and web based, for materials necessary to perform the needed maintenance as well as perform the needed maintenance as well as plant matter required. Students will make, use plant matter required. Students will make, use and interpret spreadsheets, graphs and charts and interpret spreadsheets, graphs and charts to both assist in decision making and discourse.to both assist in decision making and discourse.

FoundationsFoundationsLiteracyLiteracy

Cognitive ProcessesCognitive Processes: : – To determine the most appropriate methods for To determine the most appropriate methods for

maintaining the outdoor laboratory, students will need to maintaining the outdoor laboratory, students will need to process information gained through their research and process information gained through their research and interviews and apply it to the various tasks. interviews and apply it to the various tasks.

   Discourse FormsDiscourse Forms: :

– Students will express their synthesized knowledge in Students will express their synthesized knowledge in various forms. These forms will include, but are not various forms. These forms will include, but are not limited to spreadsheets, presentation to School Board, limited to spreadsheets, presentation to School Board, advertisement for “fund raisers”, communications with advertisement for “fund raisers”, communications with vendors, and any grant proposals.vendors, and any grant proposals.

FoundationsFoundationsProblem SolvingProblem Solving

Strategies:Strategies:– Team building, informational analysis, interviewing, data Team building, informational analysis, interviewing, data

analysis, budgeting, scheduling analysis, budgeting, scheduling 

Authentic Anchored Problem:Authentic Anchored Problem:– The school district has built an outdoor laboratory which The school district has built an outdoor laboratory which

includes a greenhouse. The laboratory requires includes a greenhouse. The laboratory requires maintenance and upkeep. In addition, various maintenance and upkeep. In addition, various elementary and Junior High classes need to use the lab elementary and Junior High classes need to use the lab for their projects. Since the lab is in it’s early stages of for their projects. Since the lab is in it’s early stages of development, the district is open to upgrading the area. development, the district is open to upgrading the area. However, funds are severely limited. The problem to However, funds are severely limited. The problem to solve will be how to maintain and upgrade the lab area solve will be how to maintain and upgrade the lab area as well as provide necessary materials for class projects as well as provide necessary materials for class projects on limited funds available. on limited funds available.

FoundationsFoundationsKnowledgeKnowledge

Disciplinary StructuresDisciplinary Structures: : – Environmental Science: climate, niche, habitat, water Environmental Science: climate, niche, habitat, water

resources, native plants, artificial environments, pest and resources, native plants, artificial environments, pest and weed control chemicals.weed control chemicals.

– Economics: budgeting, comparison shopping, negotiation Economics: budgeting, comparison shopping, negotiation – Ag Science: construction, estimation, horticulture. Ag Science: construction, estimation, horticulture.

   Disciplinary ProcessesDisciplinary Processes: :

– Students will use be using the problem solving process which Students will use be using the problem solving process which include the following:include the following:laboratory investigations, plan and implement investigative laboratory investigations, plan and implement investigative procedures, formulating testable hypotheses, selecting procedures, formulating testable hypotheses, selecting appropriate equipment and technology, collecting data, appropriate equipment and technology, collecting data, analysis of promotional material.analysis of promotional material.

FoundationsFoundationsKnowledgeKnowledge

Disciplinary DiscourseDisciplinary Discourse::– Students will create and share a(n):Students will create and share a(n):

prioritized list of maintenance tasks to be completedprioritized list of maintenance tasks to be completed spreadsheet showing costs of any material or plant matterspreadsheet showing costs of any material or plant matter budget for completion of the maintenance portion of budget for completion of the maintenance portion of

projectproject timeline for completion of the current year projecttimeline for completion of the current year project schedule for use of the area by interested classesschedule for use of the area by interested classes presentation for the School Board outlining the funds presentation for the School Board outlining the funds

needed and the types of fund raising activities (plant sale, needed and the types of fund raising activities (plant sale, salsa sale, grants, etc.) the students wish to implementsalsa sale, grants, etc.) the students wish to implement

advertisements for any fund raising activitiesadvertisements for any fund raising activities photographic “scrapbook” of the year’s activities to be photographic “scrapbook” of the year’s activities to be

shared on the class website shared on the class website end of year presentation for the School Board end of year presentation for the School Board

FoundationsFoundationsUsing InformationUsing Information

The students will search, sort, create, and The students will search, sort, create, and communicate the information gathered communicate the information gathered from their research. The students will also from their research. The students will also implement the concepts to design, decode, implement the concepts to design, decode, encode, construct, and explore proper encode, construct, and explore proper techniques for maintaining the lab area. techniques for maintaining the lab area. The majority of information that the The majority of information that the students gather will require analytical students gather will require analytical thinking skills, problem solving skills, thinking skills, problem solving skills, interpreting data, using previous interpreting data, using previous knowledge, and interpreting knowledge to knowledge, and interpreting knowledge to create a solution to a particular problem. create a solution to a particular problem.

FoundationsFoundationsCommunityCommunity

Students will work in cooperative and collaborative groups Students will work in cooperative and collaborative groups to determine tasks needed for ongoing maintenance of the to determine tasks needed for ongoing maintenance of the greenhouse and laboratory area. greenhouse and laboratory area.

Students must cooperate in performing the actual Students must cooperate in performing the actual maintenance tasks as well as horticultural tasks to ensure maintenance tasks as well as horticultural tasks to ensure an appropriate learning environment for all classes who use an appropriate learning environment for all classes who use the greenhouse and laboratory area.the greenhouse and laboratory area.

Students will also communicate and work with local nursery Students will also communicate and work with local nursery owners who will serve as mentors. Communication will be owners who will serve as mentors. Communication will be via e-mail and face-to-face interaction.via e-mail and face-to-face interaction.

Progress of maintenance and projects will be shared within Progress of maintenance and projects will be shared within the school and local community through class website, the school and local community through class website, school newspaper and local newspapers. school newspaper and local newspapers.

ActivitiesActivitiesAuthentic ActivitiesAuthentic Activities

1.1. Interview local Master Gardner to determine type of plants Interview local Master Gardner to determine type of plants and planting methodsand planting methods

2.2. Meet and interview local nursery owner for input on Meet and interview local nursery owner for input on maintaining greenhouse and plantsmaintaining greenhouse and plants

3.3. Meet and interview County Extension Agents for input on Meet and interview County Extension Agents for input on local insects and their controllocal insects and their control

4.4. Meet and interview teachers to determine their needs for Meet and interview teachers to determine their needs for class projectsclass projects

5.5. Meet and interview maintenance department to determine Meet and interview maintenance department to determine proper methods for requesting any maintenance students proper methods for requesting any maintenance students cannot perform (example: use of chemicals for insect and cannot perform (example: use of chemicals for insect and weed control)weed control)

6.6. Create pictorial log of trip to botanical gardensCreate pictorial log of trip to botanical gardens7.7. Assist teacher with writing grant proposal Assist teacher with writing grant proposal

ActivitiesActivitiesBackground ActivitiesBackground Activities

1.1. Field trip to Waco and Ft. Worth botanical Field trip to Waco and Ft. Worth botanical gardensgardens

2.2. Research grant opportunitiesResearch grant opportunities3.3. Use internet search engines, magazines and Use internet search engines, magazines and

catalogs to research maintenance aspectscatalogs to research maintenance aspects4.4. Tutorials on use software programs for budgetingTutorials on use software programs for budgeting5.5. A tutorial on the use of digital still and video A tutorial on the use of digital still and video

camerascameras6.6. Examples of Photo Story projects will be shown Examples of Photo Story projects will be shown

and students will work in pairs to create short and students will work in pairs to create short Photo Stories about themselves in order to learn Photo Stories about themselves in order to learn the softwarethe software

7.7. Business Ed teacher will be asked to present Business Ed teacher will be asked to present information on proper budgeting techniquesinformation on proper budgeting techniques

8.8. Superintendent will be asked to present Superintendent will be asked to present information on proper methods for use of school information on proper methods for use of school funds and monies from grants and fundraising funds and monies from grants and fundraising

ActivitiesActivitiesConstructing ActivitiesConstructing Activities

1.1. Create a maintenance plan/timelineCreate a maintenance plan/timeline

2.2. Create brochure for fund raising activitiesCreate brochure for fund raising activities

3.3. Create digital photo or video record of Create digital photo or video record of maintenance and projects maintenance and projects

4.4. Create class web page “scrapbook” for Create class web page “scrapbook” for presentation of the photo or video recordpresentation of the photo or video record

5.5. Create budget for purchasing materials and plantsCreate budget for purchasing materials and plants

6.6. Create database or spreadsheet for tracking Create database or spreadsheet for tracking budget, profit, lossbudget, profit, loss

7.7. Create and present multimedia presentation for Create and present multimedia presentation for School BoardSchool Board

8.8. Create schedule for use of greenhouse lab area by Create schedule for use of greenhouse lab area by other classes other classes

ActivitiesActivitiesSharing ActivitiesSharing Activities

1.1. Presentation to School Board at beginning and end Presentation to School Board at beginning and end of yearof year

2.2. Share and maintain lab schedule with other classes Share and maintain lab schedule with other classes and teachersand teachers

3.3. Work with maintenance department on scheduling Work with maintenance department on scheduling and completion of activities maintenance and completion of activities maintenance department will have to completedepartment will have to complete

4.4. Work collaboratively and cooperatively to keep a Work collaboratively and cooperatively to keep a well maintained lab areawell maintained lab area

5.5. Local and school newspaper articlesLocal and school newspaper articles

6.6. Digital record on school websiteDigital record on school website

ContentsContentsTEKSTEKS

Environmental SystemsEnvironmental Systems– (1)(A,B) ; (2)(A,B,C,D); (3)(B,D); (1)(A,B) ; (2)(A,B,C,D); (3)(B,D);

(4)(A,B,C,D,E); (5)(B,C,D,E,F); (7)(4)(A,B,C,D,E); (5)(B,C,D,E,F); (7)(A,C); (8) (C,D) (A,C); (8) (C,D)

Economics with Emphasis on Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefitsand Its Benefits– (3)(A); (4)(A,B); (7)(A); (23)(A,C,E)(3)(A); (4)(A,B); (7)(A); (23)(A,C,E)

ToolsToolsToolsTools

1.1. Magazines and periodicals from libraryMagazines and periodicals from library2.2. Catalogs (both print and online) from gardening supply Catalogs (both print and online) from gardening supply

companiescompanies3.3. Spreadsheet softwareSpreadsheet software4.4. Database softwareDatabase software5.5. Digital still cameraDigital still camera6.6. Digital video cameraDigital video camera7.7. Web design toolsWeb design tools8.8. Photo and video processing softwarePhoto and video processing software9.9. Gardening toolsGardening tools10.10. ComputerComputer11.11. PrinterPrinter12.12. ProjectorProjector13.13. Financial softwareFinancial software14.14. Plant material Plant material

Systems of Systems of AssessmentAssessment

AssessmentAssessment1.1. Rubrics forRubrics for

1.1. BrochureBrochure

2.2. Multimedia presentationMultimedia presentation

3.3. Maintained greenhouse lab areaMaintained greenhouse lab area

4.4. SpreadsheetsSpreadsheets

5.5. Class websiteClass website

2.2. Adherence to timelineAdherence to timeline

3.3. Profits on fund raising Profits on fund raising

Learning Learning EnvironmentEnvironment

EnvironmentEnvironment Students will be in groups of 4. In the Students will be in groups of 4. In the

classroom, students desks will be arranged in classroom, students desks will be arranged in their groups.their groups.

Students will have access to computers and Students will have access to computers and printers in both the classroom and the high printers in both the classroom and the high School computer lab. School computer lab.

The library will also be available for the The library will also be available for the students to have access to magazines, students to have access to magazines, periodicals and books.periodicals and books.

Digital cameras, photo and video processing Digital cameras, photo and video processing software will also be available for students to software will also be available for students to record their progress. record their progress.

Much of the time will be spent outdoors Much of the time will be spent outdoors determining the maintenance requirements determining the maintenance requirements and performing the tasks. Students will have and performing the tasks. Students will have access to the necessary gardening tools and access to the necessary gardening tools and implements.implements.

Learning Learning EnvironmentEnvironment