“What does adaptation mean to you?”
In collaboration with High Tech Middle Media Arts, Cabrillo educators prompted students to take lessons from nature on what it means to adapt to their environment. Throughout the course of the Fall semester, sixth graders explored themes around native plants, biodiversity, and change. Students visited Cabrillo to learn about adaptation in the Coastal Sage Scrub and Rocky Intertidal ecosystem through ranger-led activities and walks. During their exploration, students collected scientific data and observation photos to assist in the development of their final exhibition and collective knowledge base.
High Tech schools provide a unique framework for their students to participate on projects that matter to them, their teachers, and the community around them. Cabrillo frequently collaborates with classrooms from this program to incorporate inquiry across multiple disciplines through fieldwork, art, community service, and education. We firmly believe that this project-based learning model facilitates a unique platform to connect students to the themes of their National Park and inspires them to be life-long stewards.
At the end of their semester, Cabrillo proudly hosted HTMMA students and their families at the park for the final exhibition of their work to the public. Students led park guest on nature hikes down the Bayside Trail and explained all about the plants they had studied. Additionally, they invited visitors to uncover their artistic side as they filled in large-scale coloring pages students had created of the plants. Throughout the presentation of their work, students explained their process, major take-homes, and why the public should care.
Their final project, currently on display in the Visitors Center through February 28th, 2017, skillfully integrates the plants students studied in the park, their thoughts on adaptation, and the students themselves. With this demonstration, the students of HTMMA hope to inspire their community to think deeper about what it truly means to keep calm and adapt on.