Gold Seal Lesson:
Recycling Project

Copernicus Education Gateway

Subject:

Science

Grade:

9-12

ICLE Standards:

Science:   Biodegradability

Accounting:   Budgeting and math

Communications: Advertising, Listening, Reading, Writing, Oral Discussion

Performance Task:

Your school has decided to begin a recycling project.  The project has been divided into several phases:

Phase 1:  The class will be divided into groups to participate in a scavenger hunt for recyclable materials found within the school.  Students will determine within their groups what properties of recyclable materials each item the group has found possesses.

Phase 2:  Group spokesperson presents findings to class.  Presentation includes charts or posters.  Class then notes basic characteristics all properties have in common.  After determining properties of recyclable materials, students then locate a place where the materials can be recycled or disposed of correctly.

Phase 3:  Students will brainstorm ideas for a recycling plan of action for the school.   After weighing all ideas, students will determine the most feasible option for their school.  They will mount an advertising campaign to alert other students to the project.  Posters, brochures, etc. will be used to explain the need to recycle, benefits, and how to recycle within the school.  Materials used to advertise will be presented in an eye-appealing and neat manner.

Phase 4:  Students will implement the plan of action.  They will set up an area to recycle materials.  They will determine how to man the area and what to do with collected materials.  When students determine it necessary to dispose of materials, items will be taken to the nearest recyclable center where they will receive money for their materials.

Phase 5:  Students will develop a plan to spend money collected on a school-beautifying project.  They will determine the needs of the school and decide what can be done with the money they have collected.  They will work to develop an immediate spending plan and a long-range plan.  They will have to decide whether to begin the spending plan in stages or merely select one thing that can be completed immediately.

Knowledge / Skills:

Plan and apply hypothetical models and constructions to facilitate investigation and learning and the solution to practical problems.  115

Understand the human impact on the environment through pollution (air, water, and soil), and ways to improve it through education, research, laws, and conservation.  S.10

Understand ecology as the study of the interactions and relationships of organisms with their living and nonliving environments (i.e., the ecosystem, communities, and populations).  S.13

Prepare and deliver individual speeches by gathering information, rehearsing, making eye contact, speaking loudly enough, delivering information in a well-organized fashion, and appealing to the needs of the target audience.  ELA.10

Use brainstorming, role playing, and standard problem solving strategies to define a problem and suggest solutions.  ELA.19

Demonstrate knowledge of persuasive techniques used in visual advertisements.  ELA.66

Perform operations with signed (positive and negative) numbers, including decimals, ratios, percents, and fractions.   M.1

Rubric:

Score using the following scale:  4 = excellent;  3 = above average;  2 = average;  1 = below average; 0 = did not attempt/has no knowledge.

Keywords:

LIFE SCIENCE
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEM
POLLUTION
ORAL PRESENTATION
VISUALS
BRAINSTORMING
TEAMWORK
MODELS AND CONSTRUCTION
BUDGET
COST ANALYSIS

Grades:

Kg [] - 1 [] - 2 [] - 3 [] - 4 [] - 5 [] - 6 [] - 7 [] - 8 [] - 9 [x] - 10 [x] - 11 [x] - 12 [x]

ICLE Application:

D

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