The Problem
We would like to address the problem of climate change. Our students would like to learn how they can design a greener future. They'd like to see a future where buildings are designed with a focus on sustainability. This project help our students take the first steps to taking an active role as the future architects designing a more sustainable future for our city, country, and world.
Our Plan
Students will utilize their learning to design and create a prototype research center to be constructed on Santa Cruz Island (the destination for our annual year-end fifth-grade activity day). This prototype will integrate learning throughout the unit of study. In addition, the research center will be designed to study particular topics of interest such as the recovery of the island fox from the endangered species list, the struggle to reduce erosion on the island, the re-introduction of the bald eagle, and climate impact studies upon the island. This prototype will serve as a model for designing sustainable cities for a future challenged by global climate change.