Rooftop Gardens

Notes from our reviewers

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• Teaching Tips
  Educators will want to look at the Ecology at Work part of this activity [https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_rooftop_lesson01] to get ideas of how to introduce the topic. A very helpful and applicable PowerPoint is linked in the "Ecology at Work" lesson. The PowerPoint may be useful to introduce this activity.
• About the Science
  Introductory material of the resource at [https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_rooftop_lesson01] provides a brief overview of heat transfer and the urban heat island effect, and why plants can reduce the urban heat island effect. Comments from expert scientist: Scientific strengths: - collecting data - analyzing data (max, mins, trends) - plotting data on X-Y line graph - testing the scientific method - budgeting for the project Suggestions: - I'd love to see the photosynthesis equation somewhere
• About the Pedagogy
  Activity is very well organized and supported pedagogically; builds students' problem-solving skills through an inquiry-driven activity. Students work in groups to design and construct two buildings - one with a model rooftop garden and the other with a normal tar-paper roof. Students then compare the differences in ambient and inside-building temperatures between the two. As such, this activity will engage students and also help them better understand parts of the scientific process. Vocab/definitions very good; very good applicable PowerPoint presentation in linked "Ecology at Work" lesson. Combines engineering, energy, and climate.
• Technical Details/Ease of Use
  Many of the materials can be obtained from a home and garden store easily for minimal expense, or potentially donated. Optional pre/post Rooftop Gardens Quiz can be found in the Ecology at Work lesson.