Plastic Waste Challenge - Project Based Learning PBL Environment Sustainability
Plastic Waste Challenge Project-Based Learning Activity for Grades 4-7
Inspire Your Learners with this comprehensive environmental stewardship project focused on recycling, upcycling, and repurposing. It encourages critical thinking and problem-solving and integrates multiple subject areas, including English Language Arts (ELA), writing, design, research skills, technology proficiency, artistic expression, and creative thinking.
Objective:
The primary goal is to immerse learners in environmental stewardship and innovative design related to recycling and upcycling. Learners will explore plastic waste and discover creative ways to positively impact the environment.
Learning Outcomes:
Learners will:
- Develop research, planning, and critical thinking skills.
- Gain knowledge about recycling, upcycling, and environmental issues.
- Integrate ELA, writing, design, and technology into a cohesive project.
Motivating Question: "How can we creatively address the issue of plastic waste to make a positive impact on our environment?"
Project Activity Pages:
- What I Know: Comparison of Recycling and Upcycling
- Mind Mapping Plastic
- Plastic Collection Challenge
- Brainstorming: What to Do with All That Plastic?
- Research: Repurposing and Upcycling
- Repurposing Stuff Challenge
- Organize and Conquer
- Repurposing: Product Development
- Recycling Process Poster
- Life Without Plastic Challenge
- 3 Rs Social Media Plan
- 3 Rs Campaign
- Upcycling Design Challenge
- What I Think
- Reflection
- Final Projects
Learner Decision-Making:
Learners will make real-life decisions related to environmental issues, such as analyzing options for repurposing waste and researching product design. This process empowers them to think critically and creatively while honing their entrepreneurial skills.
Learner Inquiry:
The project encourages learners to develop research and design skills. They will investigate strategies to reduce plastic use in daily life and propose creative solutions.
Feedback and Revision:
Learners will engage in a feedback and revision process, reflecting on their experiences to identify successes and challenges. This continuous improvement loop encourages self-guided research and extension activities, expanding their understanding and skills.
Published Product:
Learners will choose how to present their findings. Options include creating an infographic, a website, a slide presentation, an art gallery presentation, or developing a product.
How to Use:
The project includes 18 activities that can be printed and organized into a binder or stapled together. Scaffolding information, including vocabulary and additional resources, is available at any stage of the project.
Colored pencils, markers, and crayons are encouraged to enhance the visual appeal of project materials. Resources such as the internet, textbooks, maps, and peer collaboration will help learners successfully complete their projects.
Extension Activities:
- Upcycled Craft Workshop
- Plastic-Free Lunch Challenge
- Upcycling Fashion Show
- Upcycled Garden Project
- Upcycled Art Exhibition
Terms of Use
Please note: Purchase of this product is for Personal and Classroom Use ONLY
Not for Commercial Use. Purchase of this product entitles you the right to reproduce the pages in limited quantities for single classroom use only. Copying any part of the product and placing it on the internet in any form (including a personal or classroom website) is strictly forbidden and is a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Copyright: Quest Schooling LLC.
After purchase you will receive a link to download the PDF file. All pages are included in the file and can be printed in black and white for immediate use.
Any or all of the pages in the PDF file can be printed and used for students across a wide range of ages/skills, or collaboratively with kids of different ages.
For example, younger kids may focus more on the design and drink recipes for the stand while older kids may also include the business plan and profit margin aspects of the project.
Depending on your student’s needs, there are several pages of scaffolding information, including vocabulary, facts, reading list, weblinks. Scaffolding can be done at any stage throughout the project as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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All projects are digital download pdf files. They can be printed in gray scale or black and white and are ready for your student to use.
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No, the projects are flexible and can be adapted to your student's grade and skill level. Each project includes a list of student activities. you can review them and decide which pages work for your student.
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In project based learning, each student completes both the project activities and a final project. I always offer a choice of final projects to provide differentiation and give students of different skills enough options.
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Most projects include a rubric to help you assess your students work and give your student an opportunity to assess their own work. However, each student's project will be unique to them and be a reflection of their knowledge and skill set. There is no one 'right answer' to a project. The success of a project is largely in the process of doing the project.