The City of Ember

by Jeanne DuPrau

Summary

The city of Ember was built as an underground refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she’s sure it holds a secret that will save the city. She and her friend Doon must race to figure out the clues before the lights go out on Ember forever!

The Project

Fourth graders in Mrs. Schroeder’s class read “The City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau. The book takes place in an underground world where a feeble generator powers the lights needed for the people of Ember to function. Students brought this elusive setting to life by creating dioramas depicting a scene from the book. Incorporating what they learned in science, groups used copper tape and LEDs to engineer a system of lights. Next, they used the green screen to insert themselves into their creations, acting out a scene as if they were citizens of Ember. The project was not only fun and engaging for the students, but required them to fully assimilate the book’s setting and characters. With that knowledge, they used engineering, science, and technology to replicate Ember in great detail.

Images

Two slide diorama scene (click here)

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