This story features a learning activity that took place prior to school closures due to COVID-19.
Bennett
Elementary
School
students,
under
the
guidance
of
Gifted
Teacher
Renee
Blaine-Duggan
and
Art
Teacher
Amy
Holt,
recently
completed
phase-one
of
an
outdoor
project
that's
been
two-years
in
the
making.
The
two
educators
challenged
the
kids
to
creatively
display
what
they've
learned
while
researching
the
native
plants
and
animals
of
Virginia.
The
concept
ultimately
involved
using
plastic
bottle
caps,
of
varying
colors
and
sizes,
to
represent
a
scene
in
nature
that
focused
on
the
plants
and
animals
they
had
researched.
Sticking
as
close
to
actual
scale
as
possible,
students
used
math
to
calculate
the
number
of
bottle
caps
they
would
need.
Then,
they
accumulated
lids
over
a
two-year
period
leading
up
to
the
project
launch.
"We
are
still
working
on
a
few
large
interior
pieces
that
will
be
hung
on
a
wall
along
a
ramp.
We've
made
a
giant
microscope,
a
paint
palette
and
a
treble
clef
already,
and
we're
in
the
process
of
finishing
up
a
DNA
model,
stack
of
books,
globe
and
sports
equipment,"
noted
Holt.
When
it
came
time
to
begin,
all
K-5
students
were
given
the
chance
to
help
screw
the
bottle
caps
onto
the
wooden
frame.
"They
were
so
excited
to
wear
safety
glasses
and
use
the
impact
drivers,"
added
Holt.
The
younger
students
got
one-on-one
assistance
to
help
alleviate
any
fears
due
to
the
sound
of
the
tools.
In
fact,
a
group
of
fifth
grade
girls
became
so
comfortable
with
the
impact
drivers
that
they
were
able
to
instruct
younger
students.
The
same
girls
even
gave
up
several
indoor
recesses
to
work
on
the
structure.
The
project
has
received
an
overwhelming
degree
of
support
from
the
school
community
and
is
funded
by
SPARK,
the
Education
Foundation
for
Prince
William
County
Public
Schools.