About this resource
How can you change someone's life by developing a way to protect their belongings? Students create a way to protect a homeless person's belongings from the elements and distribute to those who need the product. Using household items students work together to create a plan, design a product, and distribute the product to those who are in need.
Extend the learning: Some students in the learning community are socially active and participate in outreach activities to help feed the homeless. Students who have developed relationships with these community members can interview and get feedback on what their needs are, so that when developing the product, they can put that feedback to work.
Modifications for all Learners: Students are provided with many materials and areas for learning so that all learners are comfortable and engaged in the activity. Students can choose to go as deep as they want to in the project.
Curriculum & Standards
Related General Curriculum / Common Core Area
Language Arts
Related Curriculum / Common Core Standard
AASL Main Standard(s): II. INCLUDE Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to inclusiveness and respect for diversity in the learning community. Learners contribute a balanced perspective when participating in a learning community by: 1. Articulating an awareness of the contributions of a range of learners. 2. Adopting a discerning stance toward points of view and opinions expressed in information resources and learning products. 3. Describing their understanding of cultural relevancy and placement within the global learning community.
Related STEM Area: Engineering/Math
NGSS Main Related Engineering Design Standard:
HS-ETS1-1. Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants. HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
What students will do
- I will recognize an issue in society and help to solve that issue.
- I will upcycle household items.
- I will use design thinking and divergent thinking to create something new.
- I will work, collaborate, and provide critical feedback to my peers.
I can recognize an issue in society and help to solve that issue.
I can upcycle household items.
I can use design thinking and divergent thinking to create something new.
I can work, collaborate, and provide critical feedback to my peers.
Resources Needed
Pencil, paper, Internet and computer access, any household items that students ask for or that they can find in their home, no new items should be purchased.
How learning is assessed
- I recognized an issue in society and help to solve that issue.
- I upcycled household items.
- I used design thinking and divergent thinking to create something new.
- I worked, collaborated, and provided critical feedback to my peers.