Future Lab Diorama Instructions

Follow these steps to build your Future Lab! Gather your shoebox, art supplies, and Reflection Log before you begin.

1. Prepare Your Box

• Remove the lid and place it aside or use it as part of your design.
• Decide which side will be the back wall and which will be the floor.
• If you like, cover the inside with colored paper to create a background.

2. Divide Your Lab into Three Zones

• Use tape or folded paper walls to split the box into three areas: Academic, Social, and Personal.
• Label each zone by writing the name on the inside wall or on a small paper sign.

3. Plan Your Layout

• On a piece of scratch paper, draw a small sketch of where you want each goal to go.
• Think about size, color, and how you will show each goal with drawings or models.

4. Build Your Academic Zone

• Choose one academic goal (e.g., finish a book series, improve in math).
• Create or draw a mini representation: a tiny book, a paper chart, or a calculator.
• Attach it inside the Academic zone and add a label or caption.

5. Build Your Social Zone

• Choose one social goal (e.g., make a new friend, help a classmate).
• Show this goal with a model or drawing (stick-figure friends, a handshake, a heart).
• Tape or glue it in the Social zone and add a label.

6. Build Your Personal Zone

• Choose one personal goal (e.g., learn to ride a bike, practice piano).
• Create a small paper bike, painted piano key, or another symbol of your goal.
• Place it in the Personal zone with a written caption.

7. Decorate and Add Details

• Add background scenes (sky, classroom, park) with markers or colored paper.
• Include small props: stickers, cut-outs, modeling clay figures.
• Use different textures and colors to make your lab lively.

8. Label and Write Captions

• For each goal, write a short sentence (e.g., “I will read five chapter books.”).
• Glue or tape the captions near each model.
• Make sure your handwriting is neat and easy to read.

9. Check Your Work Against the Rubric

• Use the Lab Creation Rubric to self-assess:
  • Are all three goals shown clearly?
  • Did you show effort and creativity?
  • Is your diorama neat and organized?
  • Did you complete your Reflection Log fully?

10. Final Touches & Cleanup

• Trim any extra paper, flatten folds, and secure loose edges.
• Tidy your desk and return unused supplies.
• Get ready to share your Future Lab with classmates during reflection time!

Lab Creation Rubric

Use this rubric to assess each student’s Future Lab diorama. There are four criteria, each scored on a 1–4 scale for a total of 16 points.

Scoring Guide:

• 16–14 points: Outstanding work – exceeds expectations
• 13–10 points: Good work – meets expectations
• 9–6 points: Approaching expectations – needs improvement
• 5–4 points: Below expectations – significant support needed

Teachers can use this rubric for self-assessment during the project and for final grading. Students should refer to it to guide their design and reflection.

Reflection Log

Use this journal to record your ideas before, during, and after you build your Future Lab. Be thoughtful and creative in your answers. Drawings and sentences both count!

1. Brainstorming My Goals

Academic Goal

1. What is one thing you want to learn or get better at in school?

1. Why is this academic goal important to you?

1. How will you show this goal in your Future Lab diorama? (drawing or model idea)

Social Goal

1. What is one way you want to grow when you’re with friends or classmates?

1. Why does this social goal matter to you?

1. What picture or model will you use to represent this social goal?

Personal Goal

1. What is one personal skill or hobby you’d like to practice or try?

1. Why do you care about this personal goal?

1. How could you show this goal with a small object or drawing in your Future Lab?

2. Planning My Diorama

1. Draw a quick sketch of how you will divide your shoebox into three zones. Label each zone (Academic, Social, Personal).
   (Use the back of this page or your scratch paper if you need more room.)

1. What materials will you need for each zone? List colors, paper shapes, or small props.

1. What steps will you do first, second, and last when building? Write a simple plan.

3. Reflection During Construction

1. So far, what has been the easiest part of building your Future Lab?

1. What challenge did you face, and how did you solve it?

1. Did anything about your design change from your original plan? Explain why.

4. Final Reflection

1. When you look at your finished Future Lab, what are you most proud of?

1. How do you feel about each of your three goals now that you have built them? (Academic, Social, Personal)

1. What is one thing you learned about yourself during this project?

1. What are two next steps you can take after today to keep working toward one of your goals?

5. My Action Plan

Fill in this chart to help you remember what to do next.

(Write neatly and ask your teacher if you need help filling this in.)