Major Goal: To create a student driven project that integrates scientific investigation and experimentation and life science by developing an awareness of local orchid production roles of orchid care, orchid propagation and orchid sales.

Objectives:

Investigation and Experimentation

By selecting and using appropriate tools such as plant and flower keys, students are able to communicate logical connections between a hypothesis, scientific concepts, and data collected while conducting field studies on the virtual field trip site and a field trip to Cal Orchids. After communicating these connections through scientific steps and results, conclusions are drawn from the scientific evidence and reported in a written report and oral presentation.

Technology

Computers, printers, digital cameras and a video microscope now are available for student's use in the orchid project. Research information, a virtual field trip and role examples are available to students through the Internet. Programs utilized in the orchid project are Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word and Paint. Valuable skills such as word-processing, models and maps are learned.

Agricultural Awareness

Agriculture is a vital part of our community and lives. Exposing students to the orchid industry gives them a unique look into a special part of agri-business that is practiced around the world.

Estimated Time: 50 minutes, two to three days a week for 9 weeks.

Assessment:

Pre-assessment Activity

The class discusses orchid habitat in the wild, the orchid industry and how orchids fit into the category of agriculture. The teacher asks questions to identify student’s prior knowledge.

Monitoring Student Progress

Class discussions that analyze information is ongoing. Students complete a few computer exercises and are given orchid web sites to collect information. Students turn in research and work periodically to demonstrate progress on projects.

Final Assessment (How will you know that they learned it?)

Computer Exercises – Students download an on-line puzzle used to assess their orchid terminology, read and respond to e-mail and research orchid information on the Internet to create their project.

Individual Written Report– Each individual student will complete a one to two page written report on their research including source documentation.

Oral presentation - Each group will present a multi-media presentation that can include an interview or skit.

Standards Addressed:

Science : Investigation and Experimentation and Life Science

Language Arts: Writing Strategies

Technology: Technology Tools and Resources and Research

Keywords: Agriculture, life science, flowering plants, orchids

Overall Value:

Integrating standards is a natural component of the Orchid Project because it addresses the scientific investigation and experimentation and life science portion of science standards. Students communicate logical connections between scientific concepts and data collected. Language arts standards are communicated through scientific tips leading to conclusions drawn from agricultural information. The computer exercises, final written report and oral presentation demonstrates a grasp of technology standards.

Tips For Teachers:

This project is adaptable to any grade level and school environment, substituting any agricultural industry in the local community. This whole project can even been done only using the Internet. No field trip needed. Assignments can be adapted to fit a school's technology capabilities by allowing research at home and/or allowing students to work in groups..