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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

One Plastic Bag

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One Plastic Bag STEM Challenge

A [3-8] Grade STEM Lesson

Jennifer Cheesman

March 2023

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Notes for Teachers

  • Be familiar with where Gambia is on a map so you can show students.

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List of Materials

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Standards

Arizona Science Standard

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6.L2U3.11 Use evidence to construct an argument regarding the impact of human activities on the environment and how they positively and negatively affect the competition for energy and resources in ecosystems.

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Taken from the 3 Dimensions of Science Instruction

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Crosscutting Concepts

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  • cause and effect

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  • structure and function

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  • stability and change
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Science and Engineering Practices

  • ask questions and define problems
  • obtain, evaluate and communicate information
  • constructing explanations and designing solutions
  • developing and using models

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Objective(s):

Today you are going to listen to a book called, One Plastic Bag.

The students will create a new product from one or more plastic bags so that the new product is sustainable and reusable.

The students will communicate to the class about their new product.

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Agenda (50-90 minutes)

  • 3-5 minutes: Questioning of plastics-in classroom, at home, play, etc.
  • 10-15 minutes: read story out loud to students (show pictures)
  • 5-10 minutes: explain challenge
  • 20-30 minutes: work time
  • 10-20 minutes: allow students to share their project; write in STEM journal

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Driving Questions

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  • How many of you use a plastic bowl for cereal or snacks?
  • Why do we use plastic bowls, plates or cups? What is the advantage or disadvantage?
  • Who uses plastic bags when you go shopping?
  • What do you do with the plastic bag when you come home from shopping?
  • What else can be done with the plastic bag?

Today we are going to hear a story that takes place in Gambia, West Africa, and how they came up with a solution for using plastic bags.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

  • Can be done in class, at home, or in a STEM lab setting.

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  • Supplies: plastic grocery store bags, scissors, tape (whatever you have is fine) plus any other supplies such as: pipe cleaners, paint, stickers, pom poms, etc.
  • Criteria: You must turn the plastic bag(s) into something that is sustainable and reusable.

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Assessment

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5

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Sustainability-

is it fulfilling a need?

Project demonstrates a need that needs to be addressed; appeals to many people; idea is solid and makes sense

Project mostly demonstrates a need; slight confusion on need or idea or may not be fully developed

idea needs some work; may not appeal to many people; no real purpose for project

idea lacks detail and needs more information and development

Reusability-

the ease of which the product can be used

Product is ready to go and easily used

Project needs more work but is 80% done and/or just needs to be tweaked a little bit

Project is 70% completed but idea needs to be fine tuned

Project is 60% or less completed and needs a major overhaul in order to be used.

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Differentiation

  • Story is available for read aloud: https://youtu.be/7JHesyiYfeE

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  • Allow students to work with a partner.

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  • Gve ideas to students such as: bracelets, coin purses, toy carrier, jump ropes etc.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

  • Have students present to classes or use Flip to present.

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  • Have students research the problem in Gambia and how much revenue they have brought in from this.