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1. Introduce students to the final project phase.
- Explain to students that they are going to consider the ways in which their proposed solutions will need to be implemented.
- Project the Plastic Policy Project Description and bring their attention to step three, supporting their proposed policy change. In this activity, students will be learning about examples of implementation that they can draw on for this part of their proposal.
- These examples may not involve direct policy change, but can be used to inform students’ proposals.
2. Facilitate students’ rotation through case study learning stations.
- Explain that other people are working to reduce and eliminate plastic waste in their communities.
- Explain that they are going to learn about what some people have done for inspiration to tackle the unit driving question: What can we do to reduce the effects of plastic pollution?
- Set up four learning stations with the following resources available for students to rotate through:
- In their policy groups, have students visit each of the four stations. As they visit each station, have students record their ideas using two-column notes guided by the following questions:
- What is the solution implemented in this example?
- What is similar about this project to our project?
- What might we use from this project in our policy proposal to the school?
- Give students the opportunity to revise their solutions based on these examples, if applicable.
3. Discuss and reflect.
- Have students share with the class their ideas in response to the guiding questions in Step 2.
- Students write a short reflection in response to the following question: How did the station learning inform, change, or confirm your planned proposal?
Informal Assessment
Students demonstrate their understanding of the plastic-waste reduction methods from the case studies and their relationship to the final project in their reflective writing.
Subjects & Disciplines
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Apply aspects from model case studies of implementation to their own proposal for a plastic reduction in the school community.
Teaching Approach
- Project-based learning
Teaching Methods
- Multimedia instruction
- Reflection
- Writing
Skills Summary
This activity targets the following skills:
-
21st Century Student Outcomes
- Information, Media, and Technology Skills
- Learning and Innovation Skills
- Life and Career Skills
- 21st Century Themes
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Critical Thinking Skills
- Analyzing
- Applying
- Evaluating
- Remembering
- Understanding
Connections to National Standards, Principles, and Practices
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy
- WHST.6-8.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
The College, Career & Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards
- D2.Civ.7.6-8: Apply civic virtues and democratic principles in school and community settings.
What You’ll Need
Materials You Provide
- Handout: Plastic Policy Project Description
Required Technology
- Internet Access: Required
- Tech Setup: 1 computer per pair
Physical Space
- Classroom
Setup
Set up the room in learning stations so that groups can visit the four content pieces. You can set up multiple stations of the same type so that smaller groups can access each piece of content.
Grouping
- Small-group learning
- Small-group work
Background Information
Plastic pollution is a global, regional, and local issue. Here, we describe a few collaborative efforts to reduce plastic waste around the globe. One of the largest collaborative efforts is headed by the United Nations, urging countries to reduce plastic production and implement strong plastic disposal policies (Basel Convention, 2019). The European Union has followed suit and will ban 10 common single-use plastic items by 2021 and plans to collect and recycle 90 percent of bottles by 2029. On a slightly smaller scale, individual counties, such as Peru and Canada, have committed to banning common plastic items like bags and straws.
Organizations, researchers, and communities are banding together to reduce plastic pollution. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are fighting plastic pollution—including 5 Gyres, Greenpeace, Plastic Pollution Coalition, and World Wildlife Fund—are fighting plastic pollution. These NGOs are taking a stand, spreading the word, and committing to a plastic pledge globally. Researchers from the University of Toronto have a “trash team” dedicated to researching plastic pollution, where it comes from, and the effects it has. Schools are signing petitions to reduce plastic consumption and educating students, administrators, and teachers on what it means to be a trash-free school. Mostly, large reductions in plastic pollution and production are implemented at the government level rather than at the community level. However, by coming together and reducing plastic use at an individual, family, and community level, we can collectively make a difference and reduce waste.
Prior Knowledge
- None
Vocabulary
chemical material that can be easily shaped when heated to a high temperature.
to clean or process in order to make suitable for reuse.
to lower or lessen.
to give up, renounce, be unwilling to accept.
to use again.
the sum of wastes by a single entity.
Reference
Tips & Modifications
Tip
Step 2: Plan how you will facilitate the learning stations. How many stations will you set up? How will you get students to transition in a smooth and timely way? What will you have students take notes on?
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Making Change Happen
Students learn about solutions to plastic waste that have been implemented in other places. They conduct a policymaker analysis to decide which organizational level is the most appropriate for implementing their proposed solutions to plastic waste in the community. Students campaign for a policy change in the community before a class vote on which proposal has the most impact and should be brought to the appropriate decision-maker. This lesson is part of the Toward a Plastic-Responsible Future unit.
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Seaworthy Solutions
As a class, students learn about one proposed solution to the ocean plastics crisis. Jigsaw groups explore four additional solutions, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each. Next, publishing teams compare the solutions and develop a rubric to evaluate different solutions and select a winner for their unit project.
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Solutions to Plastic Waste
Students use the work of the “Sea to Source: Ganges” river expedition team to learn about different methods for plastic waste data collection and use those methods to conduct their own field research in their school. They use a variety of text and videos to learn about possible solutions that can be implemented in their community. This lesson is part of the Toward a Plastic-Responsible Future unit.
-
Making Change Happen
Students learn about solutions to plastic waste that have been implemented in other places. They conduct a policymaker analysis to decide which organizational level is the most appropriate for implementing their proposed solutions to plastic waste in the community. Students campaign for a policy change in the community before a class vote on which proposal has the most impact and should be brought to the appropriate decision-maker. This lesson is part of the Toward a Plastic-Responsible Future unit.
-
Seaworthy Solutions
As a class, students learn about one proposed solution to the ocean plastics crisis. Jigsaw groups explore four additional solutions, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each. Next, publishing teams compare the solutions and develop a rubric to evaluate different solutions and select a winner for their unit project.
-
Solutions to Plastic Waste
Students use the work of the “Sea to Source: Ganges” river expedition team to learn about different methods for plastic waste data collection and use those methods to conduct their own field research in their school. They use a variety of text and videos to learn about possible solutions that can be implemented in their community. This lesson is part of the Toward a Plastic-Responsible Future unit.