Unit 3, Lesson 5: Community Science Projects

Opening Karakia

"Kia ū ki tō whainga
Kia mahi tahi tātou
Hei whakangāwari te taiao
Mō ngā uri whakatipu"

Hold fast to your purpose
Let us work together
To heal the environment
For the generations growing up

Stepping Into Leadership

Today we transition from learners to leaders, from observers to agents of change. We carry with us the integrated knowledge of our four previous lessons - dual knowledge systems, kaitiakitanga practices, cultural mathematics, and innovative technology. Now we put this knowledge into action for our community.

Rangatahi Leaders Making Change

Gallery Walk: Explore these examples of young environmental leaders who combined traditional knowledge with modern science to create community change:

Leadership Reflection

• What common elements do you see in effective youth environmental leadership?
• How do these leaders combine different types of knowledge and action?
• What environmental issue in your community needs young leaders like you?
• What unique contributions could you make as a leader with integrated STEM and mātauranga Māori knowledge?

Rangatira: Leadership with Purpose

Environmental leadership from a mātauranga Māori perspective is about rangatira - leading with mana, responsibility, and service to others. It combines the confidence of scientific knowledge with the humility of cultural wisdom.

Leadership Self-Assessment

Reflect on your strengths and growth areas across these leadership dimensions. Where do you already show leadership? Where would you like to develop? How can your unique combination of cultural knowledge and scientific understanding contribute to environmental leadership?

From Learning to Leading: Your Community Project

Working in teams, design a community science project that demonstrates your integrated learning from this unit. Your project should address a real environmental issue using both mātauranga Māori and modern STEM approaches.

Project Planning Framework

Use this framework to develop your project:

1. Community Connection: What specific environmental issue affects your community?
2. Knowledge Integration: What traditional knowledge and scientific methods will you combine?
3. Community Partners: Who will you work with? How will you engage them respectfully?
4. Action Plan: What specific steps will you take? What resources do you need?
5. Impact Measurement: How will you know if your project is successful?

Building Relationships for Change

Effective community science projects are built on strong relationships and respectful engagement. Plan how you'll connect with community members, stakeholders, and potential collaborators.

Engagement Planning Activity

For your project, identify:

1. Who are the key community stakeholders you need to engage?
2. What cultural protocols and respectful practices will guide your engagement?
3. How will you ensure community voices are heard and valued in your project?
4. What engagement methods are most appropriate for your community and issue?
5. How will you maintain ongoing relationships beyond your initial project?

From Plan to Action

Now develop concrete next steps for implementing your community science project. Create a realistic timeline and identify resources and support you'll need.

Action Commitment

Each team member commits to specific actions:

1. What is your first step after this lesson? When will you take it?
2. What specific role will you play in the team project?
3. How will you apply your integrated STEM and mātauranga Māori knowledge?
4. What support do you need from teachers, whānau, or community?
5. How will you measure success and share your learning?

Leadership & Learning Synthesis

Complete this final reflection to synthesize your learning from the entire unit and demonstrate your readiness for environmental leadership:

1. Unit Integration: Explain how your community science project demonstrates integrated learning from all five lessons of this unit. How do you see connections between dual knowledge systems, kaitiakitanga, cultural mathematics, innovation, and community leadership?
2. Leadership Development: Describe how your understanding of environmental leadership has developed throughout this unit. What does it mean to be a rangatira for environmental change in your community?
3. Cultural Responsibility: How will you ensure your community science project honors and advances mātauranga Māori while contributing to scientific understanding? What protocols and practices will guide your work?
4. Community Impact: What specific positive changes do you hope your project will create in your community? How will you know if you're making a difference?
5. Future Commitment: How has this unit changed your understanding of your role as a young person in addressing environmental challenges? What is your long-term commitment to environmental leadership?

Assessment Criteria

• Knowledge Synthesis: Effectively integrates learning from all unit lessons
• Leadership Vision: Demonstrates clear understanding of environmental leadership principles
• Cultural Integration: Shows deep respect for and application of mātauranga Māori
• Project Design: Creates realistic, impactful community science projects
• Community Engagement: Plans respectful and inclusive community partnerships
• Commitment to Action: Shows genuine commitment to ongoing environmental leadership