5th Grade
BioBlitz - In Spring of 2017, BCPS phased out the 13-year-old Eco-Trekkers unit for a more student-centered outdoor science program called “BioBlitz.” In September 2017, students traveled to Benjamin Banneker Park where they performed data collection on the biodiversity of different ecosystems. They tried to identify and take pictures of as many flora and fauna as they could. This data was compared to data collect at their own schoolyard. Through compare and contrast, students determine if the ecosystem is functioning correctly. This project is concluded by determining what steps ( if any) need to be taken to improve the ecosystem.
Chesapeake Bay/Human Impact - Feb. 8, 2018 - Students construct their own Conowingo Dam. Once completed, they added sand and water to one side of the dam to observe the buildup of sediments and contamination on the low side. This activity gives students a clear understanding of how the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem is affected by sediment and dam structures.
"One Well" - English Language Arts - Students learned about the water cycle and its effects on all living things. After reading the short story "One Well", they divided the expository text into sub categories; People at the Well, Plants at the Well, and What can we do. Each student created infographics to inform the public about the role of water in our lives and the importance of conservation.
Relief Building Sculptures - Students studied the art of Barbara Gihooly who creates cityscapes in relief and builds up material to create the relief. Using Gihooly as an inspiration and looking at different pictures of cityscapes, students sketched what they wanted their relief sculptures to look like. They were then tasked with collecting recyclables that they could use to build their sculpture. Optional finishing touches involved adding color using paint and markers.