Eco-Friendly Packaging Design Challenge
Created byPrabir Vora
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Eco-Friendly Packaging Design Challenge

Grade 7Art4 days
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design sustainable packaging that effectively communicates the importance of eco-friendly materials while addressing cultural perceptions and the challenges of implementation?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is sustainability and why is it important in the context of packaging design?
  • What materials are considered eco-friendly and how do they impact the environment?
  • How can graphic design effectively communicate a message about sustainability?
  • What are the challenges and benefits of using sustainable packaging materials in design?
  • How do cultural differences influence perceptions of sustainability in packaging design?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to identify and explain what sustainability means in the context of packaging design.
  • Students will demonstrate understanding of eco-friendly materials and their environmental impacts through their design choices.
  • Students will effectively communicate their design ideas and messages about sustainability through visual art techniques.
  • Students will analyze cultural perceptions of sustainability and how they affect design choices.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2
Primary
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.Reason: Students need to convey information about sustainable packaging materials and their importance clearly through graphic design.

Next Generation Science Standards

NGSS.5-ESS3-1
Secondary
Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.Reason: Understanding eco-friendly materials in the context of engineering and design requires knowledge of environmental science principles.

National Core Arts Standards

CCSS.ARTS.VA.7.3.1
Primary
Use visual art to communicate ideas and convey meaning.Reason: The project focuses on using graphic design to communicate sustainability themes, directly aligning with visual arts standards.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Eco-Scavenger Hunt

The classroom is transformed into various ‘packaging stations’ showcasing different materials, including plastics, cardboard, and eco-friendly alternatives. Students receive a checklist of items to find and evaluate for sustainability while documenting their findings.

Plastic Waste Crisis Simulation

Students are presented with real-world data and stories about plastic pollution through videos and articles. They then discuss in small groups how packaging contributes to this crisis and brainstorm ideas for alternative approaches to packaging design.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Eco-Friendly Research Quest

In this activity, students embark on a quest to research various eco-friendly materials and their properties, focusing on sustainability. This initial research will inform their packaging design project.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm a list of common packaging materials (e.g., plastic, cardboard, bubble wrap).
2. Using internet resources, research at least three eco-friendly alternatives to these materials (e.g., biodegradable packing peanuts, recycled paper, plant-based plastics).
3. Create a presentation slide for each eco-friendly material that outlines its benefits and sustainable properties.
4. Share your findings with your classmates in a mini-presentation.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of presentation slides summarizing eco-friendly packaging materials and their sustainable benefits.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with art standards related to understanding material characteristics and sustainability.
Activity 2

Design Your Own Packaging

Students will apply their research by creating a prototype of environmentally friendly packaging for a chosen product, integrating elements of graphic design.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a product you want to package (e.g., a snack, book, or personal item).
2. Sketch an initial design concept for your packaging using eco-friendly materials researched in the previous activity.
3. Create a detailed plan for your packaging, including dimensions, materials needed, and graphic design elements that convey sustainability.
4. Build a prototype of your packaging using the chosen eco-friendly materials.
5. Prepare to present your packaging to the class, explaining the materials chosen and their sustainability.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA physical prototype of eco-friendly packaging complete with a design plan and visual graphics highlighting its sustainable features.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with art standards focusing on design principles and material application.
Activity 3

Sustainable Branding and Marketing

In this final activity, students will create a marketing campaign for their packaging, crafting a message that promotes sustainability while showcasing their design.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Develop a brand name and logo that represent your packaging’s eco-friendly nature.
2. Create a marketing flyer or poster that details your product, packaging, and sustainability message.
3. Write a short advertisement script to promote your packaging in a commercial style.
4. Present your marketing campaign to the class, using your flyer and script.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA marketing flyer, a brand logo, and an advertisement script promoting the sustainable packaging design.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with art standards emphasizing communication through design, branding, and effective messaging.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Sustainable Packaging Design Rubric

Category 1

Research and Understanding

Assesses the student’s ability to research, understand, and present information on eco-friendly materials.
Criterion 1

Depth of Research

Evaluates the thoroughness and accuracy of researched eco-friendly materials and their sustainable properties.

Exemplary
4 Points

Research is thorough, accurate, and includes comprehensive details of eco-friendly materials, their benefits, and sustainable properties.

Proficient
3 Points

Research is accurate and provides relevant details about eco-friendly materials, their benefits, and sustainable properties.

Developing
2 Points

Research provides some information but lacks depth and detail about eco-friendly materials and their properties.

Beginning
1 Points

Research is minimal, with critical gaps in material understanding and lacks details about sustainable properties.

Criterion 2

Presentation Clarity

Evaluates how clearly students present their findings both in written and oral formats.

Exemplary
4 Points

Ideas are clearly articulated with excellent organization and insightful connections to sustainability.

Proficient
3 Points

Ideas are well-organized and clearly communicated with relevant connections to sustainability.

Developing
2 Points

Presentation lacks clear organization or depth, making understanding difficult.

Beginning
1 Points

Ideas are unorganized and poorly communicated, with minimal connections made to sustainability.

Category 2

Design and Innovation

Evaluates the creativity, functionality, and sustainability of the proposed packaging design.
Criterion 1

Design Creativity and Innovation

Assesses originality and innovativeness in the design concept, considering sustainability.

Exemplary
4 Points

Design is highly original and innovative, effectively integrating sustainable concepts.

Proficient
3 Points

Design is creative and integrates sustainable concepts effectively.

Developing
2 Points

Design shows some creativity but lacks effective integration of sustainable concepts.

Beginning
1 Points

Design is conventional with little innovation or sustainable consideration.

Criterion 2

Functionality and Use of Materials

Evaluates how well the design incorporates eco-friendly materials and maintains functionality.

Exemplary
4 Points

Design uses eco-friendly materials effectively, ensuring high functionality and sustainability.

Proficient
3 Points

Design uses eco-friendly materials appropriately and maintains functionality.

Developing
2 Points

Design incorporates eco-friendly materials with limited functionality.

Beginning
1 Points

Design struggles with material integration and suffers from poor functionality.

Category 3

Communication and Marketing

Assesses the effectiveness of communicating the sustainability message through marketing and branding.
Criterion 1

Messaging and Perspective

Evaluates how well the sustainability message is communicated, considering cultural perspectives.

Exemplary
4 Points

Message is powerful and insightful, effectively addressing cultural perspectives and convincing the audience about sustainability.

Proficient
3 Points

Message is clear and considers cultural perspectives, adequately conveying sustainability importance.

Developing
2 Points

Message is somewhat effective but lacks depth and cultural understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Message is unclear and does not adequately address cultural perspectives or sustainability importance.

Criterion 2

Branding and Creativity

Assesses the creativity and effectiveness of branding strategies used in promoting the packaging design.

Exemplary
4 Points

Branding is exceptionally creative and effectively enhances the sustainability message of the packaging design.

Proficient
3 Points

Branding is creative and supports the sustainability message of the packaging design.

Developing
2 Points

Branding shows some creativity but does not strongly support the sustainability message.

Beginning
1 Points

Branding lacks creativity and fails to contribute to the sustainability message.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your understanding of eco-friendly materials: What new insights have you gained about sustainability in the context of packaging design through this project?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how effectively do you feel you communicated your sustainability message through your final packaging design?

Scale
Required
Question 3

What challenges did you face in selecting materials for your packaging design, and how did you overcome them?

Text
Optional
Question 4

How did the cultural differences influence your packaging design and its sustainability message?

Text
Optional
Question 5

Which of the following aspects of the project do you feel most confident about?

Multiple choice
Optional
Options
Understanding of eco-friendly materials
Graphic design skills
Communication of sustainability message
Overcoming design challenges
Question 6

How likely are you to consider using eco-friendly materials in future design projects or daily life after this project?

Scale
Required