WebQuest: "Single-Use Plastics – What Can You Do?"
Kevin Gole
Class 503 PS131Q
INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever used a plastic straw, bag, or bottle just once and then thrown it away? These are called single-use plastics, and they’re used every day—even at school. Think about the plastic forks and spoons in the cafeteria, the wrappers on your snacks, or the water bottles brought in at lunch. These items are only used for a few minutes, but they stick around in our environment for hundreds of years.
Single-use plastics don’t just disappear after you toss them in the trash. Many end up in landfills or wash into rivers and oceans, where they pollute the water and harm wildlife. Schools across the country are starting to realize just how much plastic waste they create—and some are making big changes to fix the problem.
In this WebQuest, you’ll become an environmental investigator.
Environmental investigators explore the impact of policies by exploring how
single-use plastics are used in schools like yours, learn about their impact on
the planet, and discover what can be done to reduce them. Then, you’ll create a
persuasive campaign to help your classmates and school community make smarter,
more eco-friendly choices. Are you ready to make a difference? Let’s get
started!
TASK
*Your Mission: Investigate the problem of single-use plastics. You are an environmental investigator tasked by the Chancellor of Schools to develop a persuasive campaign to encourage your schools to reduce or eliminate their use.
Objectives:
● Understand what single-use plastics are and their environmental impact.
● Analyze data and information from various sources.
● Develop persuasive arguments supported by evidence.
● Create a campaign (poster, video, or speech) to promote alternatives to single-use plastic.
PROCESS
First, you will be assigned groups and specific roles. Then, you will choose how you want to share your solution with your school or community:
●
Infographic – Design a creative, colorful
campaign poster
●
Speech – Write and perform a persuasive speech
●
Video – Record a 1-2 minute
video campaign
Be sure to include:
●
A clear problem statement
●
Evidence and facts
●
Your proposed solution
● A call to action!
1. Define the Problem (Day # 1: Background - Explore the Issue)
Begin by learning about single-use plastics and their effects. Click the image to link to the resources. Then complete the attached Slides: What are single-use plastics?
2. Gather the Evidence (Day # 2)
Now that you know more, focus on how single-use plastics are a problem at your school.
Ask yourself:
●
Where do you see single-use
plastics in your school (cafeteria, classrooms, events)?
● How much plastic is used and thrown away each day?
Gather Evidence
Find out how this problem is affecting the environment and health—locally and globally.
Use these sources:
●
UNEP Report – Addressing Single-Use Plastic Products
●
EPA – Plastics and the Environment
Respond to the questions in the following Slides: Gather Evidence
Think about why this problem is happening at your school.
Consider:
●
Convenience: Is plastic easier or
cheaper to use?
●
Habits: Are people unaware of the
damage caused?
● Lack of options: Are there no reusable alternatives?
Review the following resources and respond to the attached questions:
Complete
the following Google Doc after your have reviewed the
linked resources: Causes
4. Evaluate an Existing Policy
Now explore what others are already doing to reduce single-use plastics in schools.
Use:
● NYC DOE – Zero Waste Schools
● 10 Simple Ways To Reduce Plastic Use - For Kids! Stopmotion Animated Video
●
Plastic
Pollution Coalition – Schools Taking Action
Next, complete the following doc
analyzing the some current solutions: Current Solutions
It’s your turn! Based on what you’ve learned, brainstorm your own ideas to reduce single-use plastics at school.
Some ideas might include:
●
Starting a campaign to use
reusable water bottles
●
Creating a recycling or composting
system
●
Designing posters to spread
awareness
Work in groups or alone to create a list of your top 3 solutions: Brainstorm solutions
6.
Select the Best Solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)
Now compare your top 2 ideas using a chart or graphic organizer.
Ask:
●
Feasibility: Is it realistic? Can we do it at
our school with the time, people, and money we have?
● Effectiveness: Will it make a big difference in reducing plastic use?
Use this document and choose one solution to move forward with: Feasibility Matrix
After you have selected your solution, generate your final product creating one of the following:
●
Infographic – Design a creative, colorful
campaign poster
●
Speech – Write and perform a persuasive speech
●
Video – Record a 1-2 minute
video campaign
Remember to keep the following success criteria in mind:
●
A clear problem statement
●
Evidence and facts
●
Your proposed solution
● A call t
● o action!
EVALUATION
CONCLUSION
Complete the
following relaxation activity based on your previous work: Reflextion
STANDARDS:
NYS
ELA Standards:
●
W.51: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts,
supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
●
W.57: Conduct short research projects that use
several sources to build knowledge through investigation.
●
W.58: Recall relevant information from
experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources.
NYS
Science Standards:
● 5-ESS31: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect Earth's resources and environment.