Elemental Explorers

Storyline: 

Attention all Grade 5 adventurers! Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey through the universe of matter and energy? We invite you to create a spectacular detailed model of an ecosystem, demonstrating your understanding of how matter and energy interact and cycle through different components of the ecosystem, including plants, animals, and decomposers. Conveying this knowledge to the public is important for community health and safety, potential economic benefits, stewardship and lasting legacy. You will collaborate with high school students and various local stakeholders. Your models will be published on the Wappingers Central School District web page, shard with our partner, Norrie Point and for the entire community to learn from.

You will have to:

• Develop models and describe the invisible particles of matter and their conservation during changes.

• Explain materials based on properties, particularly how these properties influence the flow of energy and cycling of matter in ecosystems.

• Explain how chemical reactions and the mixing of substances occur within an ecosystem, emphasizing the transformation of energy from the sun into usable energy by plants.

• Model and explain the flow of energy from the sun through various trophic levels and the cycling of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.

Driving Question: How might we create a scientific model with explanations of an ecosystem in order to inform our community? 

As part of the development of their public products, educators and environmental professionals from Norrie Point Environmental Center partnered with Kinry Road students as mentors throughout the design process. They shared their expertise on the Hudson River ecosystem, provided authentic feedback on students' scientific models, and challenged students with thoughtful questions that strengthened both the accuracy and effectiveness of their work. This collaboration helped students refine their products while experiencing the value of working alongside experts in the field.