“The Plastic Problem: Learning from Germany’s Recycling Success & Addressing Challenges with Bioplastics” by Christina Rosenthal
Middle School Inquiry Lessons
The Plastic Problem: Learning from Germany’s Recycling Success & Addressing Challenges with Bioplastics Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
MS-PS1-2. Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred. MS-PS1-3. Gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society. MS-LS2-4. Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. MS-LS2-5. Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
Materials needed
Student computer access Digital or hardcopies of articles (listed under Explore – Gathering Information in lesson) Materials to make milk-casein bioplastic and/or corn starch bioplastic foil (see in lesson) Phenomenon
Plastic is ending up in water sources and harming living things all over the world! Engage
Watch the listed videos of plastic affecting the environment.
Explore
Student‘s jigsaw - read (1) articles in groups about Germany’s plastic use and its recycling program. Students conduct computer research to improve their school’s recycling program to reduce plastic waste.
Explain
Students will be solving 2 problems: Improving recycling systems at their school and replacing petroleum-based plastics with bioplastics. Students write persuasive letters, based on their research and projects to German and American governments.
Create a Prototype
Students can choose which type of bioplastic they would like to make. They can make both milkcasein plastic and starch plastic foil, if time allows.
Elaborate
Understand: Students will be working to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills from their schools. Assess: Students assess the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills from their schools, and make a plan to reduce the amount of plastic used at their schools. Act: They should document their work to share with their community, encouraging families to follow their plans at home. Students can meet with local politicians, like the city council, to make reducing plastic use a city-wide movement.
Evaluate
22 | Top Lessons | Teach Germany
Students work in groups to create a final project of their choice to share with the public.
