Going Green

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
In this activity, learners conduct a waste audit and use their findings to implement a plan for reducing trash. Learners measure trash, sort by categories (compostable, recyclable, etc.) and compile the data. Learners then share their findings and suggest ways to reduce the amount of waste.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • garbage
  • safety glasses
  • plastic or rubber gloves
  • large plastic tarp (or equivalent)
  • area to dump the waste (ideally, outside)
  • pole or stick
  • garbage bags
  • paper and pencils
  • several buckets of varying volumes (optional)
  • bathroom scale (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth's History
  • Life Sciences
    • Ecology
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
    • Geometry
    • Measurement
      • Units of Measurement
      • Size and Scale
    • Number and Operations
      • Fractions
  • Physical Sciences
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Mass and Weight
      • Volume and Density
  • The Nature of Science
    • Science and Society
      • Risks and Benefits
      • Public Policy
      • Ethics
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results
  • The Nature of Technology
    • Technology and Society
      • Impacts of Technology
      • Technology and the Environment

Informal Categories

  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Uses STEM to solve real-world problems
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Culture, ethnicity, and gender

  • Girls

    • Explicity developed for this group
    • Acknowledges this group's contributions to STEM
    • Highlights STEM opportunities for this group
    • Identifies role models or mentors in STEM fields from this group
    • Uses inclusive images of people from this group

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2010

Funding Sources:

  • National Science Foundation, 0813519
  • ExxonMobil