Ready for action?
Resources
Tangible Resources
Computers with internet to do research, printed pictures of collected waste, coloured A2 paper and tape to make a paper timeline, scissors and glue
Preparation
Print pictures of waste collected in the earlier activity and piece together a timeline using A2 paper so students can gain a detailed understanding of waste decomposition timelines.
Goals, messages & concepts
Specific goals
- Learning about the slow decomposition of (plastic) waste.
- Connecting this knowledge to the pace of their own life
Specific messages
- A lot of waste takes a long time to decompose.
- Some of it just falls apart in smaller bits and becomes a part of nature.
- This is a big problem.
Main terms
- decomposition
- biodegradable
- waste
- litter
Practices & skills
STEM practices
- Analysing and interpreting data
- Engaging in argument from evidence
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
- Asking questions and defining problems
- Planning and carrying out investigations
Soft skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
Management skills
- Planning
- Use of resources
Course of activity
step 1
Introduction – short recap of previous LU.
step 2
Warm-up activity – constructing and presenting the timeline.
step 3
Present the challenge – The printed pictures with waste from LU1 need to be placed on a timeline according to the time it takes the item to decompose.
step 4
Discuss the different types of waste, what they consist of or how to find out what they are made of.
step 5
Divide the class into working groups and choose a picture of waste to investigate.
step 6
Gather information about each type of waste that was found and make a note on the back of the picture to include where it was found, a description of the item, the type of plastic and the length of time it takes to decompose.
step 7
Working in groups, place pictures of waste on the decomposition timeline.
step 8
Discussion – students should develop an awareness of the time it takes to decompose, and that some types of waste never decompose (non-biodegradable).
step 9
Present the timeline for discussion – what is the problem and what can be done to address it?