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All grades  Project 2 weeks

"Caps to Benches: Turn Trash Into Treasure!"

Jordan B
HS-LS2-7
HS-LS2-7
K-ESS3-3
Productive Collaborator
Critical Thinker
+ 1 more
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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage students in a hands-on recycling initiative that fosters community service and global citizenship. By collaborating with local partners, students will actively participate in reducing environmental impact through the collection and transformation of bottle caps into a functional bench for their school. This project aims to develop students' skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and self-improvement while promoting sustainable practices and environmental awareness in their community.

Learning goals

Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of recycling processes and their impact on environmental sustainability. They will enhance their collaboration skills by working with peers and community partners to achieve a common goal. Learners will engage in critical thinking by designing and refining a sustainable recycling program, addressing real-world challenges, and identifying effective solutions. Through creating documentaries, students will practice effective communication and reflection, fostering a sense of global citizenship and socio-emotional awareness.
Standards
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] HS-LS2-7 - Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] HS-LS2-7 - Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] K-ESS3-3 - Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.
Competencies
  • Productive Collaborator - Engages with others to achieve a common goal through building positive relationships, actively listening, showing empathy, and making individual contributions to a larger group.
  • Critical Thinker - Thinks deeply and makes informed decisions to create solutions or new understanding supported by relevant and reliable evidence.
  • Empowered Learner - Demonstrates mastery and application of academic competencies. Develops the skills and dispositions to persist through difficulties and plan for a future of self-improvement.

Products

Students will create a documentary or video diary that captures the project's stages, their roles, and reflections on global citizenship, showcasing their learning journey. Additionally, they will contribute to the physical creation of a bench made from recycled bottle caps, symbolizing their collective efforts and commitment to sustainability. These products will serve as tangible outcomes of their collaboration and critical thinking, demonstrating their active participation in reducing environmental impacts.

Launch

Begin the project with a 'Documentary Day,' where students watch engaging short films on recycling and global citizenship. Follow this with a dynamic brainstorming session, encouraging students to outline their own documentary or video diary projects. This activity sets the stage for creative assessments and sparks enthusiasm for their roles in the project.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Recycling Roadshow' where they present their documentaries at local elementary schools, engaging younger students in interactive workshops about recycling and sustainability. This exhibition fosters community-wide engagement and allows students to share their learning experiences and insights as global citizens. Additionally, the physical bench created from collected bottle caps will be unveiled on school grounds, serving as a tangible representation of their efforts and commitment to environmental stewardship.