Warning: Endangered Species Art Exhibit

In this lesson, students analyze artwork by a Hawai’i-born climate artist and create art that inspires the protection of a Hawaiian endangered species.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students explore the power of art to inspire climate action by analyzing the work of Hula, a Hawai’i-born artist.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students learn the importance of Hawai'i’s unparalleled biodiversity, choose a Hawaiian endangered species, and discover the forces endangering it, including climate change.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students plan and create artwork that inspires the protection of their chosen species and collaborate to create a class exhibit of their work.

Positives

• This lesson aligns with Hawaii's Nā Hopena A'o HĀ-BREATH Framework.

• This lesson can be taught in conjunction with a science lesson on the connection between biodiversity and climate change or a social studies lesson on the legal tools being used to protect Hawai'i’s biodiversity.

• Students have the opportunity to engage in the underutilized medium of art to address climate change by evoking emotion in hopes of inspiring action.

• Students learn about endangered species native to their homes and become better informed about their own environment.

• Students are granted creative freedom and can use their own artistic skills to represent an issue of importance.

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should have a basic understanding of climate change.

• Students should be familiar with basic principles of design such as balance, emphasis, and proportion.

• Students need access to environmentally friendly materials to create their artwork. Note: Students can use recycled or found objects, such as materials from nature or items found during a campus or beach clean-up. 

• Students need access to the Internet to view the articles, artworks, and videos independently.

Differentiation

• Teachers can modify this lesson to include instruction on the use of particular materials, such as chalk, or techniques, such as the use of color or creating portraits.

• Students can learn about specific strategies to protect biodiversity around the world by reading one or more of the articles below and incorporating the ideas into their artwork and artist’s statement. Strategies include the following:

• Assign legal rights to the natural world.

• This Canadian River Is Now Legally a Person. It's Not the Only One.

• Why Wild Animals Should Have Property Rights

• Nearly 200 Countries Approve a Biodiversity Accord Enshrining Human Rights and the Rights of Nature

• Recognize the rights and traditional ecological knowledge of Indigenous Peoples.

• UN: Conservation Shouldn't Cost Indigenous Lives

• Indigenous Peoples: Informed Custodians of Biodiversity

• "Let Us Learn From Indigenous Peoples," UN Chief Declares
• Alternatively, students can read Federal Bill Introduced to Protect Hawai'i From Invasive Species and create an artwork that reflects these legal efforts and gives voice to the natural world.
  

This lesson allows students to create artwork that would inspire action to restore biodiversity and endangered species in Hawai'i. Art is increasingly being used as a powerful instrument to promote systemic change and save the environment. When individuals view climate-related artwork in a gallery or during an exhibition, it creates emotions or feelings that will not only alter their habits, cultures, and perspectives on climate change but will motivate them to proffer the needed climate solutions in their communities. After carefully going through each instructional material, the lesson passed our science review.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.

Supporting Standards

• Visual & Performing Arts
  • Visual Arts: Standard 1 - Generating and conceptualizing ideas.
    • 1.5.12adv.Cr1a: Visualize and generate art and design that can affect social change.
  • Visual Arts: Standard 5 - Developing and refining techniques and models or steps needed to create products.
    • 1.5.12prof.Pr5a: Analyze and evaluate the reasons and ways an exhibition is presented.
  • Visual Arts: Standard 6 - Conveying meaning through art.
    • 1.5.12prof.Pr6a: Analyze and describe the impact that an exhibition or collection has on personal awareness of social, cultural or political beliefs and understandings.
  • Visual Arts: Standard 7 - Perceiving and analyzing products.
    • 1.5.12acc.Re7b: Evaluate the effectiveness of visual artworks to influence ideas, feelings, and behaviors of specific audiences.

Note On Standards:

This lesson is aligned to SubjectToClimate standards. Review the aligned standards directly in the lesson plan document and teacher slideshow.