Grade Level: 9-12

Academic Areas: Science

Duration of service: Year Long

Character Virtues: Respect, Responsibility, Giving, Caring

Service Areas: Environmental

Service Learning Project:

Students will locate an area of the school grounds that needs improvement and decide what beneficial use the area can be put to. Options will include: an outdoor classroom area, a nature trail, a shady area with newly planted trees, or a flower garden. Students will discuss how the area came to look as it did: neglect (why), pollution (where from), disrespect for others or oneself and/or property. Students will discuss how their selected solution will help keep the area from becoming neglected again. They will identify habitats, trees, plants, flowers, soil characteristics, and weather patterns of their area, and research which plants will grow best in that area. They will also research the history of the area as it connects to the environment (old cement mines, factories, etc). Students will also create a plan for action and will make educational signs about the plants, animals, history and/or habitats they place in the area. Students will then start identifying other areas of the community that need the same type of help.

Learning Goal: Students will learn why a healthy environment is important for a healthy human population and that individuals are responsible for the cleanliness of their surroundings

Standard: Health, Phys Es, Family & Consumer Science, # 1, 2, 3

Learning Goal: Students will be able to identify different trees, plants, and habitats, and will learn to key out individual plants/ trees/ flowers to species using a field guide.

Standard: MST 1, 4, 5, 6, 7

Community need: Lack of pride in the school and neglect of school grounds

Possible Community Partners: parents, local parks department, local gardening stores

Objective: Students will hold a trash and brush cleanup of the area selected for improvement.

Objective: Students will create an improved outdoor area at their school.

Virtue: Responsibility & caring

Objective: Students will realize that they are responsible for the health of their environment and that caring for the environment makes the community a better place to be.

Objective: Students will instill in community members a sense of responsibility for the upkeep and improvement of their surroundings.

Virtue: Giving & Respect

Objective: Students will realize that they must give to and respect the environment (therefore their community) in order for it to give back and respect them.

1. Students will walk around the school to identify areas that need improvement and discuss which ideas will best improve the area.
2. After they have conducted soil and habitat assessments, students will research and locate plants appropriate for the area.

 Key Service Activities

1. Students will conduct a garbage and brush cleanup.
2. Students will create their new habitat area.
3. Students will make a presentation to the school board and community detailing the improvements to the school through their efforts.
4. Community members, students, and teachers will be asked to sign up for a stewardship club that will be responsible for maintaining the area: picking up garbage, mowing the lawn, weeding etc.

1. (oral – responsibility) Students will discussed what they learned, how they learned it, and what benefits they gained. Character virtues will be discussed.
2. (written – caring) Students will keep a journal and make daily entries including what they did, what they learned, how they felt about it, and a summary of the impact they made that day.
3. (performance – giving and responsibility) Students will hold tours of the improved area for classmates, teachers, and community members at the celebration BBQ held in honor of their accomplishments.

A BBQ in celebration of the completion of the project will be held in the improved area. Students will give tours of the improved area. Parents and community members will be invited to the celebratory BBQ and tour of the improved area.