Unit 4, Lesson 4: Technology & Innovation
Designing a Sustainable Future
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, students will become innovators. They will apply their understanding of kaitiakitanga, mātauranga Māori, and modern science to tackle a real-world environmental problem. This is a project-based lesson that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving.
Enrichment Suggestion (LF_TheArts): Add a visual design rubric for assessing the student's tech designs. Criteria could include: Clarity of Communication, Visual Appeal, and Connection to Cultural Motifs.
Learning Activities
1. Do Now: What is Technology? (10 mins)
In pairs, students list as many different types of technology as they can think of. Encourage them to think beyond just digital technology (e.g., a spade is a form of technology).
2. The Design Challenge (35 mins)
Hand out the Sustainable Technology Design Challenge handout. Talk through the different challenge options and the design process. In groups, students choose a challenge and begin working through the design canvas.
3. Sharing Initial Ideas (10 mins)
Each group briefly shares the challenge they have chosen and some of their initial ideas. This is an opportunity for peer feedback and cross-pollination of ideas.