Plastic Impact Investigation: Solutions for Reduction
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Plastic Impact Investigation: Solutions for Reduction

Grade 5Science3 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)
This project challenges fifth-grade students to investigate the impact of plastic on the environment and human health, while promoting sustainable practices to mitigate its use and manage waste. Through activities such as researching case studies, identifying plastic types, and developing models, students explore the complex interactions of plastics within ecosystems and propose solutions to reduce pollution. The project fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills, encouraging students to reflect on and potentially change their personal plastic use behaviors.
Plastic PollutionSustainable PracticesEnvironmental ImpactHuman HealthRecyclingCommunity SolutionsCritical Thinking
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we understand and mitigate the impact of plastic on the environment and health while promoting sustainable practices to reduce its use and manage waste effectively?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is the current impact of plastic on the environment and wildlife?
  • How does plastic affect human health?
  • What are the different types of plastic and how are they used?
  • Why is it important to reduce plastic use?
  • What solutions currently exist to reduce plastic use and waste?
  • How can individuals and communities contribute to reducing plastic pollution?
  • How does recycling work and why is it important in managing plastic waste?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Investigate the impact of plastic on the environment and wildlife.
  • Describe how plastic affects human health.
  • Differentiate between various types of plastics and their uses.
  • Explain the importance of reducing plastic use.
  • Identify existing solutions to reduce plastic use and waste.
  • Develop and propose new strategies for individuals and communities to reduce plastic pollution.
  • Understand and explain how recycling works and its importance in managing plastic waste.

NGSS

5-ESS3-1
Primary
Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth's resources and environment.Reason: The project involves investigating plastic's impact and creating sustainable solutions, which aligns with how science is used to protect the environment.
5-PS1-3
Primary
Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.Reason: Understanding the different types of plastics and their uses requires identifying materials based on properties, directly aligning with this standard.
5-LS2-1
Supporting
Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.Reason: While primarily focusing on ecosystems, understanding plastic's impact requires knowing how matter (plastics) move through environments.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Ocean in the Classroom

Transform the classroom into a virtual ocean filled with images and artifacts showing plastic pollution. Begin with an emotionally-provoking short film showing the journey of a plastic bottle from a store shelf to the ocean aftermath, inviting students to explore how they can make a difference.

The Plastic Detective

Invite students to become detectives by examining common household and classroom items to identify their plastic components. Present a mystery to solve: How can we live without these items? This scavenger hunt encourages students to consider alternatives and innovations.
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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 Impact Explorers

Students dive into the task of understanding the impact of plastic on the environment by researching real-world case studies, scientific articles, and documentaries. This sets a foundational context for the issues surrounding plastic pollution and introduces them to how it affects ecosystems and human health.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research and gather information from various sources such as articles, documentaries, and case studies about plastic's impact on oceans, wildlife, and human health.
2. Take notes on the most compelling impacts of plastic and organize them into categories: environmental effects, effects on wildlife, and human health concerns.
3. Discuss findings in small groups to share insights and highlight important information.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA research journal detailing findings on how plastic impacts the environment, wildlife, and human health.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 5-ESS3-1 by combining information about how environmental resources are affected by plastic pollution.
Activity 2

The Plastic Identifier Challenge

This activity encourages students to explore and classify different types of plastics based on their properties. By examining everyday items, students learn about diverse plastic materials, their uses, and begin to question their necessity, promoting critical thinking.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Collect various plastic items from home and classroom settings (e.g., bottles, containers, wrappers).
2. Research how to identify different types of plastics by their symbols and characteristics.
3. Classify the collected items into categories based on their plastic type and list their properties and uses.
4. Reflect on which plastic items are essential and which ones could be replaced or eliminated.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA categorized chart of different plastics with their properties and uses, accompanied by reflective notes on their necessity.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports 5-PS1-3 by making observations and measurements to identify materials.
Activity 3

Plastic Movement Model Makers

Students develop a model describing how plastic moves through and affects ecosystems. They create visual representations showing the journey of plastic matter through various environmental tissues and its interactions with living organisms.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a type of plastic and research its life cycle from creation to disposal, focusing on how it moves through the environment.
2. Create a storyboard or flowchart illustrating the journey of plastic through ecosystems and its potential impact at each stage.
3. Design a physical or digital model that represents the pathways of plastic through the environment and its interactions with plants, animals, and decomposers.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive model (physical or digital) illustrating plastic's movement through ecosystems and its environmental impact.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 5-LS2-1 by developing a model to describe the movement of matter.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Impact of Plastic Investigation Rubric

Category 1

Research & Information Gathering

Evaluation of students' ability to research and gather information from multiple sources accurately and effectively.
Criterion 1

Quality of Research

Assesses the depth and reliability of the information collected from various sources such as articles, documentaries, and case studies.

Exemplary
4 Points

The research is comprehensive, incorporating a wide range of reliable sources with critical analysis of data.

Proficient
3 Points

The research includes relevant information from multiple reliable sources with some analysis.

Developing
2 Points

Research is primarily based on a limited number of sources with basic analysis.

Beginning
1 Points

Research lacks depth and relies on singular or unreliable sources with little or no analysis.

Criterion 2

Note Organization

Measures the ability to organize and categorize research notes effectively.

Exemplary
4 Points

Notes are well-organized, creating clear categories for environmental effects, effects on wildlife, and human health concerns.

Proficient
3 Points

Notes are generally organized with relevant categories created.

Developing
2 Points

Notes show some organization but categories may be incomplete or unclear.

Beginning
1 Points

Notes are poorly organized with unclear or missing categories.

Category 2

Critical Thinking & Analysis

Assessment of students' ability to analyze the implications of plastic use and impact on environment and health.
Criterion 1

Impact Analysis

Evaluates the analysis of plastic's impact on the environment, wildlife, and human health.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the complex impact of plastics, supported by well-reasoned arguments.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows a clear understanding of the impact of plastics with logical rationale.

Developing
2 Points

Analysis is present but lacks depth or comprehensive understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal analysis provided, lacking coherent understanding of impacts.

Criterion 2

Solution Development

Measures creativity and feasibility of proposed solutions to reduce plastic use and manage waste.

Exemplary
4 Points

Proposes innovative, realistic solutions with a detailed plan for reduction and waste management.

Proficient
3 Points

Suggests feasible solutions for reducing plastic use with basic planning.

Developing
2 Points

Solutions are simplistic or lack feasibility in real-world application.

Beginning
1 Points

Few or unrealistic solutions provided, lacking clarity and detail.

Category 3

Collaboration & Communication

Assessment of collaborative efforts and communication skills during group work and presentation of research findings.
Criterion 1

Contribution to Group Work

Evaluates the participation and leadership in collaborative tasks among peers.

Exemplary
4 Points

Leads group participation, fostering a productive and inclusive working environment.

Proficient
3 Points

Contributes effectively to group tasks with active participation.

Developing
2 Points

Participates in group work but contributions vary in significance.

Beginning
1 Points

Limited participation, requiring guidance to be involved in group activities.

Criterion 2

Clarity of Presentation

Assesses the effectiveness of presenting research and solutions to peers and teachers.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents findings with exceptional clarity, engaging visuals, and comprehensive detail.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly presents research with supporting visuals and information.

Developing
2 Points

Presentation is clear but lacks detailed explanation or engaging visuals.

Beginning
1 Points

Presentation lacks clarity and detail, with limited use of visuals.

Reflection Prompts

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

Reflect on how your understanding of the environmental impact of plastic has changed throughout this project.

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Required
Question 2

How confident do you feel about explaining the different types of plastics and their uses to someone else?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which solutions for reducing plastic use and waste do you find the most feasible for your community, and why?

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Required
Question 4

What role do you think individuals and communities should play in reducing plastic pollution?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Advocacy and Policy
Community Clean-up Activities
Education and Awareness Campaigns
Personal Behavioral Changes
Question 5

How has working on this project influenced your personal views or behaviors regarding plastic use?

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Required