Ocean Salvaged Prosthetics Design
Created byJennifer Ballesteros
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Ocean Salvaged Prosthetics Design

Grade 8Science1 days
The Ocean Salvaged Prosthetics Design project empowers 8th-grade students to tackle environmental challenges by designing prosthetics using recycled ocean plastics. Through scientific inquiry, design exploration, and ethical debates, students learn to create functional and sustainable products while considering their impact on marine life. This project promotes innovative thinking, environmental stewardship, and a deep understanding of the implications of plastic waste in oceans.
Ocean PlasticsProsthetics DesignEnvironmental ImpactSustainable InnovationEthical ConsiderationsMarine Life ProtectionRecycling
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as ocean advocates and innovators, design functional prosthetics from recycled ocean plastics while considering the impact on marine life and the environment?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is the significance of cleaning our oceans from plastic waste?
  • How can salvaged ocean plastics be transformed into useful products like prosthetics?
  • What impact do plastic prosthetics have on marine life?
  • Why is recycling ocean waste for creating prosthetics important ethically and environmentally?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will understand the significance of cleaning oceans from plastic waste and the environmental impact of plastic in marine ecosystems.
  • Students will learn how to design and create useful products like prosthetics from salvaged ocean plastics.
  • Students will analyze and evaluate the impact of plastic waste and developed prosthetics on marine life.
  • Students will develop skills in innovation and design processes while considering environmental ethics and sustainability.

Next Generation Science Standards

MS-ESS3-3
Primary
Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.Reason: The project involves designing and creating prosthetics from ocean plastics, which requires applying scientific principles to minimize the impact of plastic waste on marine life.
MS-ETS1-2
Primary
Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.Reason: Students will need to evaluate different designs for prosthetics to ensure they are functional and environmentally sustainable.
MS-LS2-5
Secondary
Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.Reason: The project requires considering the impact of prosthetic designs on marine biodiversity.

Common Core Standards

RI.8.1
Supporting
Cite textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.Reason: Reading and analyzing texts about the impact of plastic on marine life and possible solutions supports evidence-based analysis in the project.
RI.8.8
Supporting
Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient.Reason: Students need to evaluate arguments regarding environmental ethics and the impact of plastic prosthetics on marine life.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Design Challenge: From Waste to Wonder

Present students with a challenge to sketch or model prosthetic designs using salvaged ocean plastics. This activity will prompt them to explore artistic design, mechanical functionality, and environmental stewardship.
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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

Plastic Watchdog Investigation

Students will conduct a research investigation on the impact of plastic waste on marine life, collecting scientific data and multimedia resources to understand the ecological damage caused by ocean plastics.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research scientific reports and documentaries covering plastic pollution in oceans.
2. Identify key ecological impacts of plastic on various marine species.
3. Create a multimedia presentation of the collected data and findings.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA multimedia presentation illustrating the ecological impact of plastic waste on marine life.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing human impact; RI.8.1: Cite textual evidence most strongly supporting an analysis.
Activity 2

Prosthetic Blueprints Exploration

Engage students in a brainstorming session to sketch design blueprints for prosthetics using materials salvaged from the ocean, focusing on both artistic elements and mechanical functionality.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Discuss the principles of sustainable design and how they apply to product creation.
2. Sketch initial design ideas for prosthetics focusing on functionality and environmental impact.
3. Consider the mechanical attributes necessary for the prosthetics to function as intended.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityDetailed sketches and design blueprints for prosthetics made from salvaged ocean plastics.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process; MS-LS2-5: Evaluate solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem.
Activity 3

Ethical Impact Debate

Facilitate a debate on the ethical considerations of using ocean-salvaged plastics for prosthetic design, addressing the pros and cons from environmental and societal viewpoints.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce the concept of environmental ethics and its relevance to the project.
2. Research and prepare arguments for and against the use of salvaged plastics in product design.
3. Conduct the debate, ensuring to assess the soundness and relevance of arguments made.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityRecorded debate session highlighting ethical perspectives on using salvaged plastics for prosthetics.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsRI.8.8: Trace and evaluate arguments assessing reasoning soundness; RI.8.1: Cite textual evidence supporting an argument analysis.
Activity 4

Product Prototype Development

Guide students through the process of creating a functional prototype of the prosthetic using only salvaged materials.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Gather salvaged plastics and other materials safe for prototyping.
2. Develop a prototype based on initial design sketches.
3. Test the prototype for functionality and environmental impact.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA working prototype of a prosthetic designed from ocean-salvaged plastics, ready for presentation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-ETS1-2: Evaluate design solutions to meet criteria effectively; MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles for minimizing human environmental impact.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Ocean Cleanup and Prosthetics Design Rubric

Category 1

Scientific Understanding

Assessment of students' grasp of scientific principles related to ocean pollution and its impact on marine life.
Criterion 1

Ecological Impact Analysis

Ability to analyze and communicate the ecological impact of plastics on marine life.

Exemplary
4 Points

Thoroughly analyzes the ecological impacts, providing in-depth insights and comprehensive data visuals.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately analyzes and presents ecological impacts with clear visuals and sound reasoning.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic analysis with some visual data representation; reasoning is sometimes unclear or incomplete.

Beginning
1 Points

Initial analysis with little visual representation; reasoning is often unclear.

Criterion 2

Application of Scientific Principles

Use of scientific principles to design solutions minimizing environmental impact.

Exemplary
4 Points

Innovatively applies principles to propose solutions with potential for significant impact mitigation.

Proficient
3 Points

Applies scientific principles effectively to propose realistic solutions for impact mitigation.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to apply scientific principles but solutions are incomplete or partially effective.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal application of principles with unclear solutions.

Category 2

Design and Innovation

Assessment of creativity, practicality, and sustainability in design solutions.
Criterion 1

Design Creativity

Originality and creativity in design concepts for prosthetics.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents highly original and creative designs that thoughtfully incorporate aesthetic and functional considerations.

Proficient
3 Points

Proposes creative designs that effectively balance aesthetics and functionality.

Developing
2 Points

Designs show some creativity but lack balance in aesthetics and functionality.

Beginning
1 Points

Designs are basic or lack clear direction; minimal creativity noted.

Criterion 2

Sustainable Design

Consideration for environmental sustainability in design.

Exemplary
4 Points

Designs demonstrate a deep commitment to sustainability, utilizing innovative material reuse and life cycle considerations.

Proficient
3 Points

Designs show awareness and application of sustainable practices effectively.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to incorporate sustainable practices but inconsistently or superficially applied.

Beginning
1 Points

Little to no consideration of sustainability in the design process.

Category 3

Communication and Collaboration

Evaluation of effective communication and collaboration in presenting ideas and working with peers.
Criterion 1

Presentation Skills

Effectiveness of communication during presentations and debates.

Exemplary
4 Points

Delivers presentations with clarity, enthusiasm, and comprehensive argumentation that engages and informs the audience thoroughly.

Proficient
3 Points

Communicates ideas clearly and effectively, using relevant arguments and maintaining audience interest.

Developing
2 Points

Presents ideas with some clarity; arguments are occasionally unclear or less compelling.

Beginning
1 Points

Presentation lacks clarity and engagement; arguments are often unclear or incomplete.

Criterion 2

Collaboration Contributions

Ability to work collaboratively with peers to achieve common goals.

Exemplary
4 Points

Actively leads group efforts, ensures inclusivity, and facilitates productive teamwork and innovation.

Proficient
3 Points

Contributes effectively within group settings, supporting teamwork and collaborative achievement.

Developing
2 Points

Participates in group efforts with some support needed, occasionally contributing to teamwork.

Beginning
1 Points

Requires substantial support to engage in teamwork and contribute to group goals.

Reflection Prompts

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

Reflect on the significance of using salvaged ocean plastics to create prosthetic designs. What did you learn about the environmental impact and ethical considerations involved?

Text
Required
Question 2

Rate your understanding of the process of designing prosthetics from ocean-salvaged plastics.

Scale
Required
Question 3

What were the most challenging aspects of designing and prototyping prosthetics using salvaged materials?

Text
Required
Question 4

How has participating in this project changed your perspective on plastic waste and its impact on marine life?

Text
Required
Question 5

Choose the statement that best describes how you would advocate for using salvaged ocean plastics in product design.

Multiple choice
Optional
Options
I would focus on the environmental benefits and sustainability.
I would emphasize the ethical importance of reducing waste.
I would prioritize the innovation aspect and potential for new uses.
I would not advocate for it until more evidence is available.