#SSRethinkTank: What should (or shouldn't) I plant?

To plant or not to plant, that is the question in Florida.

Join us in the #SSRethinkTank for an entrepreneurial thinking activity that begins with an image. This activity has three steps: 1) See (ask descriptive questions), 2) Think (ask analytic and evaluative questions to define what is broken), and 3) Rethink (use design thinking to consider solutions to the problem). With these activities, we can help students to identify, critique, and provide solutions to some of the sustainability problems that exist in the world. 

Here is the problem: Your neighbor heard that you are learning about Sustainability at school. She wants to plant this flower in her garden. What should she do?

Part 1

1) What do you see? In this step, show the image and tell students to provide you with evidence they see. This step isn't about inferences or opinions. That comes in the next step. You can also guide students through some descriptive questions (what, who, where, and when). 

• What kind of image is this?
• What do you see in the image?
• Who might have created the image?
• What about the caption?
• Where was this taken?

2) What do you think? In this step, students make inferences and analyze the photo and the caption. Ultimately, this is a step where students think critically to identify a problem. The first level this step is to inspire students to use what they see and ask analytical questions that are inspired by the question: What do you think? Encourage the students to think deeper by asking how and why questions. 

• Why do you think the person took this photo?
• Why do think about the caption?

3) What do you wonder? Would these be a good choice in a Florida garden? What questions do you have? Research the Mexican Petunia with some of the information provided:

• The Mexican Petunia (Ruellia Simplex) is widely available in plant nurseries around the state of Florida. However, it is highly invasive and since 2001 it has been listed as a Category 1 invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, described as “plants that are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives” (IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants)
• Read more about the plant to answer some of your questions at the IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. 
• You can also watch this video and conduct more research online using the terms: Mexican Petunia Invasive Florida. 

3) Rethink! After the analysis phase, we work on an evaluation by asking: What is the problem caused by Mexican Petunias? After defining the problem, engage students in a rethink activity, where they use entrepreneurial thinking to create change. Tell students: "After you define what is broken, get in the Rethink Tank and design a solution."
​Here are some questions you can use to help guide their rethinking:

• Reduce: How can we reduce our use of invasive plants?
• Redesign: How can we redesign the system so these plants aren't sold in Florida?
• Replace: What Native Florida Wildflowers can we use instead?

Using Native Florida Wildflowers is a great solution. Check out the information at the Florida Wildflower Foundation https://flawildflowers.org/ to find a different flower to plant.

​What advice would you give to your neighbor? Create a poster or social media post about your findings.