E-Waste Warriors: Inventing Sustainable Tech Solutions
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as student innovators, design a sustainable technology solution to minimize e-waste and its environmental impact in our school and community, while considering the broader societal effects of technology?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can we create technology that minimizes e-waste?
- What are the environmental impacts of e-waste?
- How does technology affect our society?
- What role can individuals play in reducing e-waste?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to define e-waste and its environmental impacts.
- Students will be able to design a sustainable technology solution to minimize e-waste.
- Students will be able to evaluate the societal effects of technology.
- Students will be able to apply innovative problem-solving skills.
- Students will be able to collaborate effectively in teams.
- Students will be able to present their solutions to an audience.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsE-Waste Time Capsule
**E-Waste Time Capsule:** Students examine a "time capsule" filled with obsolete tech (old phones, broken gadgets). They must predict the environmental impact of these items if not properly recycled and brainstorm solutions for responsible disposal, sparking curiosity about e-waste challenges.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.E-Waste Investigators: Unveiling the Problem
Students will conduct a research project to understand what e-waste is, its sources, and the harmful environmental and health effects associated with improper disposal. They will create a detailed report summarizing their findings.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive research report defining e-waste, detailing its environmental impacts, and citing sources.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to define e-waste and its environmental impacts. Standard: How technology impacts you and society.Innovation Station: Designing Sustainable Solutions
Students will brainstorm and develop innovative solutions to reduce e-waste within their school or community. They will create a detailed proposal outlining their solution, its feasibility, and potential impact.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed proposal for a sustainable technology solution to minimize e-waste, including a description of the solution, implementation plan, and potential impact.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to design a sustainable technology solution to minimize e-waste. Standard: How technology impacts you and society.Tech Reflection: Societal Impact and Positive Change
Students will explore the broader societal implications of technology, including its role in consumption, waste generation, and sustainable practices. They will write a reflective essay on how technology can be used for positive change.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA reflective essay exploring the societal effects of technology and proposing ways it can be used for positive change.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to evaluate the societal effects of technology. Standard: How technology impacts you and society.Prototype Power-Up: Refining and Testing Solutions
Students will refine their proposed solutions based on feedback and feasibility studies. They will create a prototype of their solution and test its effectiveness in a real-world setting.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA functional prototype of the sustainable technology solution, along with a report detailing the testing process and results.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to apply innovative problem-solving skills. Standard: How technology impacts you and society.Solution Showcase: Presenting for Impact
Students will work in teams to prepare and deliver a presentation showcasing their sustainable tech solutions. They will present their research, design process, prototype, and potential impact to a panel of judges or community members.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-prepared and delivered presentation showcasing the team's sustainable technology solution, including visuals, data, and a compelling narrative.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to collaborate effectively in teams. Learning Goal: Students will be able to present their solutions to an audience. Standard: How technology impacts you and society.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioE-Waste Warriors Rubric
E-Waste Investigation
Assesses the student's ability to research and understand the problem of e-waste.Research Quality
Accuracy and depth of research on e-waste, its sources, and its environmental and health effects.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated understanding of e-waste, its sources, and its environmental and health effects, going beyond basic information.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough understanding of e-waste, its sources, and its environmental and health effects.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging understanding of e-waste, its sources, and its environmental and health effects, but lacks depth.
Beginning
1 PointsShows initial understanding of e-waste, its sources, and its environmental and health effects, but struggles with basic concepts.
Organization and Clarity
Organization and clarity of the report, including proper citations.
Exemplary
4 PointsReport is exceptionally well-organized, clear, and concise, with flawless citations.
Proficient
3 PointsReport is well-organized, clear, and concise, with proper citations.
Developing
2 PointsReport is somewhat organized and clear, but may have minor citation errors.
Beginning
1 PointsReport is disorganized, unclear, and lacks proper citations.
Sustainable Solution Design
Evaluates the student's ability to design a sustainable solution to reduce e-waste.Solution Creativity and Feasibility
Creativity and feasibility of the proposed solution to reduce e-waste.
Exemplary
4 PointsSolution is highly creative, innovative, and demonstrates exceptional feasibility with a clear understanding of potential impact.
Proficient
3 PointsSolution is creative, innovative, and demonstrates good feasibility with a clear understanding of potential impact.
Developing
2 PointsSolution is somewhat creative and feasible, but lacks detail and a clear understanding of potential impact.
Beginning
1 PointsSolution lacks creativity, feasibility, and a clear understanding of potential impact.
Proposal Clarity and Detail
Clarity and detail of the proposal, including implementation plan and potential benefits.
Exemplary
4 PointsProposal is exceptionally clear, detailed, and comprehensive, with a well-defined implementation plan and potential benefits.
Proficient
3 PointsProposal is clear, detailed, and comprehensive, with a well-defined implementation plan and potential benefits.
Developing
2 PointsProposal is somewhat clear and detailed, but lacks a well-defined implementation plan and potential benefits.
Beginning
1 PointsProposal is unclear, lacks detail, and does not include a well-defined implementation plan or potential benefits.
Societal Impact Reflection
Assesses the student's ability to reflect on the societal impact of technology and propose solutions for positive change.Reflection Depth
Depth of reflection on the societal implications of technology, including consumption, waste generation, and sustainable practices.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated and insightful reflection on the societal implications of technology, showing a deep understanding of the issues.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough reflection on the societal implications of technology, showing a good understanding of the issues.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging reflection on the societal implications of technology, but lacks depth and insight.
Beginning
1 PointsShows initial reflection on the societal implications of technology, but struggles with basic concepts.
Essay Clarity and Persuasiveness
Clarity and persuasiveness of the essay in proposing solutions for positive change.
Exemplary
4 PointsEssay is exceptionally clear, persuasive, and well-reasoned in proposing solutions for positive change.
Proficient
3 PointsEssay is clear, persuasive, and well-reasoned in proposing solutions for positive change.
Developing
2 PointsEssay is somewhat clear and persuasive, but lacks strong reasoning and well-developed solutions.
Beginning
1 PointsEssay is unclear, unpersuasive, and lacks well-reasoned solutions.
Solution Refinement and Testing
Evaluates the student's ability to refine and test their solution, demonstrating problem-solving skills.Prototype Quality and Functionality
Quality and functionality of the prototype, demonstrating problem-solving skills.
Exemplary
4 PointsPrototype is highly functional, innovative, and demonstrates exceptional problem-solving skills in addressing the e-waste challenge.
Proficient
3 PointsPrototype is functional, well-designed, and demonstrates good problem-solving skills in addressing the e-waste challenge.
Developing
2 PointsPrototype is partially functional and demonstrates basic problem-solving skills, but has some limitations.
Beginning
1 PointsPrototype is non-functional and demonstrates minimal problem-solving skills.
Testing Report Thoroughness
Thoroughness and clarity of the report detailing the testing process and results.
Exemplary
4 PointsReport is exceptionally thorough, clear, and provides insightful analysis of the testing process and results.
Proficient
3 PointsReport is thorough, clear, and provides a good analysis of the testing process and results.
Developing
2 PointsReport is somewhat thorough and clear, but lacks detailed analysis of the testing process and results.
Beginning
1 PointsReport is incomplete, unclear, and lacks analysis of the testing process and results.
Presentation and Collaboration
Assesses the student's ability to work collaboratively and present their solution effectively.Presentation Effectiveness
Effectiveness of the presentation in conveying the research, design process, prototype, and potential impact of the solution.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresentation is exceptionally effective, engaging, and clearly conveys the research, design process, prototype, and potential impact of the solution.
Proficient
3 PointsPresentation is effective and clearly conveys the research, design process, prototype, and potential impact of the solution.
Developing
2 PointsPresentation is somewhat effective, but lacks clarity in conveying the research, design process, prototype, or potential impact of the solution.
Beginning
1 PointsPresentation is ineffective and fails to clearly convey the research, design process, prototype, or potential impact of the solution.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Demonstration of collaboration and teamwork skills throughout the project.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional collaboration and teamwork skills, with clear evidence of shared responsibility and effective communication.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates good collaboration and teamwork skills, with evidence of shared responsibility and effective communication.
Developing
2 PointsShows some collaboration and teamwork skills, but may have issues with shared responsibility or communication.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates poor collaboration and teamwork skills, with little evidence of shared responsibility or communication.