environmental projects

Focus:  The Los Angeles River

Dates:  1/3/07 to 1/12/07 = 8 school days = 2680 instructional minutes

Overview:
Students were put into heterogeneous (by age) learning teams of 4-6 students working with 2 teacher/group advisors.  Each team designed an original, interdisciplinary “investigation” of the LA River.  Each team had to propose and defend their project plan to their peers and the faculty at the end of day 2.  More specifically, each team had to explain the following elements of their investigation: a) the specific problem to be studied, b) how the problem relates to greater environmental and public policy issues, c) a methodology to study the issue (which will involve actual data collection of some kind), and d) a plan to disseminate their findings to the community.  Each team made a final presentation to the school community, including a few guests, on day 8.

Basic Objectives (not a complete listing):

  • Students learn more about the LA River and related subjects
  • Students consider the relationship between environmental and public policy issues
  • Students design an original project
  • Students learn to work in groups of mixed ability, age, background, etc.
  • Students learn to develop a presentation and practice public speaking

General Parameters:

  • Must involve all students
  • Heavy emphasis on the scientific method and its application to real-world environmental issues
  • Connection to ongoing public policy debates (social studies)
  • Emphasis on writing and presentation skills (English – language arts; computers - PowerPoint)
  • Must involve actual collection and analysis of data (math; computers – Excel)
  • Allows for possibility of incorporating visual representations and/or public performance (arts)
  • Lends itself to students working in teams of 4-6 students
  • Requires students to formulate a project timeline
  • Product-oriented – findings can be disseminated to the public

Synopses of Group Investigations

  • Team 1 – An oral history of the LA River

    Team 1 interviewed multiple generations of a family who had lived nearby the LA River since the 1920's.  The team's objective was to develop an understanding of how the river affected the life experiences of one family, and to tell the story of the river in human terms.  Team members then used debris from the river to construct sculptures inspired by the interviews.  In this way, the project was also had a river clean-up element.  Interviews were edited into a mini-documentary that accompanied projected river animations and the sculptures.
  • Team 2 – Is it worth it?

    Team 2 approached the River from several vantage points including water sampling, public perspectives from surveys, and research about the costs and benefits of proposed LA River revitalization plans.  The ultimate objective of the group was to answer the question:  Is it worth it to revitalize the Los Angeles River?  The group's findings were communicated through a team-presented Power Point slide show.  Based on their research, the group concluded that it is NOT worth it to revitalize the river – a somewhat controversial conclusion considering recent shifts in public opinion.
  • Team 3 – Public impressions of the LA River

    Team 3 focused their efforts on determining public opinions about the LA River and finding out what the "man on the street" thinks about the River and spending tax dollars on its revitalization.  The primary method employed was extensive polling using a brief survey questionnaire.  Their findings:  a) most people know very little about the LA River, b) a majority of people surveyed did NOT support spending public resources on a revitalization effort, c) many people indicated doubts as to whether they would utilize revitalized areas of the river – some mentioning that there are sufficient parks as is.  Based on these findings, the group recommended that policy-makers need to a) do more to inform the public about LA River issues, and b) more clearly communicate the potential benefits of revitalization.
  • Team 4 – In Search of the LA River: A Documentary

    Team 4 produced a short documentary which followed one of its members as he "investigated" the river.  Interviews were conducted with representatives of environmental organizations, water management officials, public safety officials, and others to present a comprehensive view of the Los Angeles Rivers.  The group also produced a 30 second public service announcement (PSA) informing the public about the negative consequences of throwing trash in storm drains or the River.  The PSA will be put on YouTube and other publicly-accessible venues.