Flight Path to Solutions
Grades5, 6, 7, 8Geography, Visual and Performing Arts, Engineering
What it is
This lesson asks students why birds collide with buildings in New York City, exploring bird migration along the Atlantic Flyway, how birds see ultraviolet light, and how glass reflection, transparency, and artificial light at night cause collisions.
Students explore an interactive bird collision dashboard, then choose a social studies track to draft a bird-safe law or an art track to design bird-safe windows, and present their group solutions to the class.
This lesson takes 145 to 245 minutes, and slides, a choice board with research links, a reflection, and a rubric are included.
Teaching tips
Preparation:
Write the date on the lesson slides and update them with any adaptations necessary for your context.
Review vocabulary terms in the slides and determine which terms need to be pre-taught.
Consider creating groups ahead of time based on skill.
Materials:
Devices are needed, ideally one per student, and the teacher should pre-load the dashboard and choice board on a classroom platform before the lesson.
Differentiation:
See the section included in the lesson for scaffolds and opportunities for differentiation.
Extensions:
Consider inviting a local architect, ornithologist, or city council member to give feedback on student solutions.
See the extensions section for interdisciplinary ideas and other extensions.
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