Ready for action?
Resources
Tangible Resources
pen, note paper, (presentation screen if virtual tour)
Human Resources
industry expert, extra adults to facilitate field trip
Preparation
Arrange in-person or virtual visit with local refuse site, prepare paperwork for off-site visits if necessary.
Goals, messages & concepts
Specific goals
- Students will gain an understanding of the scale of human waste production and disposal in their area.
- Students will understand that recycled materials are separated into material groups before being processed.
- Students will understand the importance of us separating our waste before it goes into the local refuse (to reduce the amount of work/ processing).
Specific messages
- Within the local community, we produce huge amounts of waste, daily.
- It is important for us to help separate our waste before it goes into landfill.
- Different types of waste have different disposal ‘journeys’.
Main terms
- waste production
- waste separation
- landfill
Practices & skills
STEM practices
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
- Asking questions and defining problems
Soft skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
Management skills
-Course of activity
step 1
Students will visit (or virtually tour) a local refuse centre to investigate the process of waste being broken down and how recycled materials are separated into material groups, cleaned, and shredded.
step 2
The industry partner will show students how different waste is disposed of at the disposal site.
step 3
In groups, students will come up with questions to ask the industry partner based on what they have seen and observed. Students will then ask their questions of the waste disposal expert to broaden their understanding of the process and implications for waste sorting and disposal at the school.