Micaela Kucinski

Kucinski’s winning program, “My Responsibility,” is designed to help fourth-grade students at Gunsaulus Elementary Scholastic Academy learn more about biomes. Students will first draw a map of where each biome is located in the world and select one to research and learn more about the plants and animals that live there. They will then compare and contrast physical characteristics of biomes including soils, vegetation, landforms, climate, and natural hazards and look at why some species are endangered. Groups of students will create dioramas, art models, and posters to describe the food chains, life cycles, food webs, and relationships among plants and animals in their natural environments. Field trips will also be incorporated in the program to help the students explain how human activity affects biomes. Although they reside in Chicago, all of the students are from Spanish-speaking countries where there are diverse biomes present which will allow them to have a personal connection to their cultural background. Kucinski, who lives in Chicago, hopes the program will shed light on the impact that human choices have on the world. She also hopes it will help promote her students to become future citizens, environmentalists, and researchers who will advocate on behalf of nature.