Community Impact Summary

Our 3rd-grade STEM PBL project explored the question, "What actions can be taken to help reduce the effects of pollution in Fairburn, Georgia?" Students investigated the causes and effects of pollution, focusing on its local impact. They learned about waste management and environmental care through information provided by South Fulton Sanitation, which highlighted real-world challenges and strategies for reducing pollution in their community.

Using their newfound knowledge, students developed actionable ideas to combat pollution, such as creating awareness campaigns and designing prototypes for waste reduction. Pretest results showed 33% of students had an initial understanding of pollution and its effects, while post-test results demonstrated significant growth, with 60% mastering key concepts.

Standards Addressed:

• Science Standards: Investigating the effects of pollution on plants, animals, and habitats and identifying solutions to environmental issues (S3L2).

• Math Standards: Using data to represent and interpret pollution-related findings (MGSE3.MD.3) and solving problems involving measurement and estimation (MGSE3.MD.2).

This project empowered students to apply STEM knowledge to a pressing community issue, fostering environmental stewardship and problem-solving skills while making a meaningful impact on their local environment.