New York Science Grade 6

Unit 4: Interdependence

Technology

Project Type: Technology

Introduction:
What do plastic, glass and paper have in common? For one thing, heat is required at some point when they are being made. They also can all be recycled to reduce waste. When you learn more about the manufacture and use of these materials, you can make better decisions about how to use them.

Task:
Design a chart to compare the production of plastics, metals, glass, paper, and polystyrene.

Include the following categories:

• Natural resources used
• Equipment and materials needed
• Energy use
• Cost
• Location
• Safety concerns
• Environmental concerns

How does recycling affect each of these categories?

Time:
1 class period to conduct research, 1 class period to create chart

Possible Resources:
Plastics
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/saving/recycling/solidwaste/plastics.html
http://www.plasticsresource.com/s_plasticsresource/sec.asp?TRACKID=&CID=126&DID=228
http://www.plastics.org.nz/page.asp?id=546

Metals
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/scho-ecol/toc_e.htm
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/metalmfg.html

Glass
http://www.bsnglasspack.com/html_gb/le_verre/fabrication_verre_gb.htm
http://www.civilization.ca/hist/verre/vemak01e.html

Paper
http://www.tappi.org/paperu/all_about_paper/paperMade.htm
http://www.ptpc.com/papermaking.html

Polystyrene
http://www.plasticseurope.org/Content/Default.asp?PageID=277

Environmental Concerns
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/p2/metalmftg.html