Indiana Science Grade 8

Unit 6: Earth’s Resources

Trash

Project Type: Career
Working in pairs, have students design a concept web around trash. Ask students to brainstorm different kinds of trash that people make, trace its sources, how people dispose of their trash, and how it breaks down. Encourage students to discover new ideas for reusing their trash to limit how they must dispose of their waste. Contact a local waste disposal or recycling company to see if a representative is available to speak with the class.

Introduction:
Have you every heard of amazing statistics such as: "Everyday Americans dispose of enough waste to fill a train of garbage trucks half way to the moon?" The amount of trash produced by each citizen has grown to outrageous proportions. Due to safety in packaging, health concerns, cheaper packaging, theft prevention, and colorful advertising, the amount of daily trash accumulation is growing out of control.

Task:
As a class, brainstorm

• different kinds of trash produced,
• trace how each kind is manufactured from its source to the product,
• how it is commonly eliminated, and
• how it breaks down.
• Use these ideas to link trash related careers-from packaging engineer to recycling and environmental engineer. If possible, ask a guest speaker in one of the related fields to speak with the class.

Working with a partner and a large piece of paper, design a concept map to demonstrate how all of these concepts are interrelated.

Time:
1 class period to brainstorm ideas, 1 class period to design and construct the concept map

Possible Resources:
http://icpac.indiana.edu/careers/career_profiles/100215.xml.print
http://www.citypaper.com/2000-02-23/mobs.html
Article on how teens have worked to combat trash in their own environment

Product:
Use the theme Trash as the center of your concept map. Make major topics you have discussed as the branches with smaller ideas webbing out. Some concepts may be connected between the different branches, showing the relationship between different aspects of the topic. (Refer to the Science Skills Handbook in the back of your science text for illustrations of concept maps.)

Presentation Hints:

• Use a pattern to trace the shapes used in the different topics of the concept map.
• Plan your map on a separate piece of paper, before you construct the final map to present to the teacher.
• Colorfully label the different ideas represented on your map.
• Be sure to include a title, your name, and date.
• Review the grading rubric to be sure you have information from each category.

Click here for a rubric to help you score this project. (65.0K)