How can I make photosynthesis engaging for teens beyond memorization?

[Sofia33]

I'm a high school biology teacher trying to revamp my unit on photosynthesis to make it more engaging and less about rote memorization of the Calvin cycle. My students often zone out when we get to the chemical details, missing the bigger picture of why this process is fundamental to life on Earth. For other educators or science communicators, what are your most effective demos, analogies, or inquiry-based activities for making the light-dependent and light-independent reactions click for students? How do you successfully connect the molecular mechanics to larger themes like ecosystem energy flow, climate change, and agricultural science in a way that resonates with teenagers?