Curriculum Enrichment
One of the key features of our outreach program is the development of innovative teaching materials designed to aid teachers in New York State 6th and 7th grade classrooms. Materials meet New York state educational standards and national curriculum standards for science and social studies. By implementing the coursework developed in this program, we hope to stimulate interest in science careers by introducing students to biology in the context of real world sustainability issues. (PHOTO: from NYC schools)
The curriculum integrates social studies with science through paired units that link historical events, geography, culture, and economics with plant biology, plant genetics, and hands-on experimentation. By participating in these activities, students increase their awareness of food, agriculture, plant genomics, and the interaction between humans and the environment.
We emphasize technology and the doors it can open for young people in the U.S. and around the world. Video-based activities linking students in Harlem, NY and Legone, Ghana have included Web quests, wikibooks, videoconference interviews and video pen pals (PHOTO: videotaping from NYC schools) All of the New York and Ghanaian students involved in this cultural exchange have been extremely excited to share their school activities and learn about the lives of others students at their partner institutions.
Collaborating teachers from the NY City schools have played a direct role in shaping the curriculum units to make them classroom-friendly. All activities and units are designed to stand alone, though several may be used together for a more comprehensive curriculum. In the 2007-2008 academic year, we worked with three science teachers and two social studies teachers at three partnering schools. The activities are still being improved and augmented but are available for download by interested teachers. Please let us know (se57@cornell.edu) how they worked for you and your class!
Unit 1: African environments.
(PHOTO: West African environment) Social Studies: How do humans affect their environment? How is the environment affected by humans? This activity will focus on four ethnic groups and the different rice growing practices associated with four environments in West Africa (mangrove swamps, tidal floodplains, river floodplains and upland areas).
Science: This unit focuses on biomes and biological constraints for plants. Students will explore what rice plants need to grow via an inquiry-based activity. For the same four environments described above, students will also modify a planting environment to make it suitable for growing rice, and then attempt to grow rice in it. There will be many dirty hands!
Unit 2: Migration and adaptation of people, knowledge and seed.
Social Studies: This 7th grade unit will focus on the forced migration of African enslaved peoples to the American Colonies, and the concurrent migration of Asian rice seed to South Carolina. The application and adaptation of African rice-growing knowledge was essential for the successful cultivation of the Asian rice varieties in the American South. Food and cooking knowledge were also valued for their importance in introducing rice as a staple starch crop in the United States.
Science: Students will explore genotype, genetic diversity and the influence of environment on the phenotype of a rice plant. A collection of activities focuses on the relationship of genotype to phenotype, and explores rice genetic diversity through video, video conferencing, and live interviews with Dr. Susan McCouch.