Unit Plan 35 (PreK Science): STEM Capstone — My Environment Model

Focus: Create simple “My Environment” dioramas that show habitat, weather, animal/plant needs, sunlight & shade, and motion from pushes and pulls.

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: Science (Physical • Life • Earth/Space • Engineering/Design)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 20–30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this STEM capstone unit, children put all their science learning together in a hands-on project. Each child (or small team) builds a simple “My Environment” box or tray diorama that shows a place where living things can survive, including weather, sunlight or shade, things plants/animals need, and something that can move with a push or pull. As they plan, build, and share, children practice talking about habitats, needs, sunlight, and motion in their own words.

Essential Questions

• What do plants and animals need to live in their home (habitat)?
• How does the weather and sunlight or shade change what happens outside?
• How can we show moving things (pushes and pulls) in our environment model?
• How can we build and improve a diorama so it tells the story of our environment clearly?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Children will be able to:

• Choose a habitat or place (yard, park, farm, forest, playground, etc.) and tell what plants and animals live there.
• Show in a model that living things need food, water, air, and light to stay alive.
• Include weather or sky clues (sun, clouds, rain, snow, wind) and talk about what the weather is like in their scene.
• Add at least one moving part (a slider, flap, or rolling piece) to show a push or pull changing motion.
• Build and revise a diorama after testing it, saying what they changed to make it stronger, clearer, or easier to move.

Standards Alignment — PreK (NGSS-based custom)

• PK-PS2 (Motion & Forces) — Explore how pushes and pulls make things move, stop, or change direction; notice that stronger pushes or pulls change motion more.
• PK-PS3 (Sunlight & Warmth) — Observe that sunlight warms surfaces and that shade can make places cooler; try simple ways to block sunlight.
• PK-LS1 (Living Things & Needs) — Notice that plants and animals need food, water, air, and light and show simple behaviors that help them survive.
• PK-ESS1/2 (Weather & Environment) — Observe daily weather and simple patterns; notice how weather and seasons affect clothing, play, and plants/animals outside.
• PK-ETS1 (Engineering & Design) — Build and test simple structures (shelters, ramps, shade) and improve designs after they tip, break, or don’t work as planned.

Success Criteria — Child-Friendly Language

• I can tell about my habitat and who (plants/animals/people) lives there.
• I can show what living things need in my diorama (food, water, air, light).
• I can show weather and sunlight or shade in my scene.
• I can make at least one part move when I push or pull it.
• I can tell what I changed to make my model better.