Grades 3-5
Plastics of the Future for a Green, Clean World
Sustainable Polymers: Plastics of the Future for a Green, Clean World is an inquiry-based science curriculum focusing on the following concepts: materials; plastics; reduce, use, recycle; and the work of scientists and engineers.
The curriculum is designed to build foundational skills of science and engineering: observation, asking questions, sorting and classifying, and communicating. The curriculum contains six learning modules intended for delivery in out-of-school time facilitated by an educator (trained volunteers or program staff). Modules also include a “Science At Home” activity to be completed by parents/other adults and children at home.
Introduction
Curriculum Introduction and Overview
Module 1
Be a Scientist
Activity A: Draw a Scientist or Engineer
Activity B: What’s My Property?
Activity C: Be a Slime ScientistVideos: Meet a Scientist
Module 2
Materials Matter
Activity A: Cup Wars
Activity B: What’s the Science Behind Cup Wars?
Activity C: Polymers –One Type of Material
Activity D: A Stop at the QuickShop Store
Module 3
Plastics in Your World
Activity A: Sort, Sort, Sort!
Activity B: Sort by Plastic Identification Code
Module 4
Plastics in Our World
Activity A, Round 1: Where Does All of the Plastic Go?
Activity A, Round 2: The Choice is Yours
Activity B: Upcycled Plastic Bottles
Module 5
Buy, Sell, Build
Activity A: Buy, Sell, Create
Activity B: Make Your Own Bioplastic!
Module 6
Service Learning
Activity A: Pre-Service Planning
Activity B: Service in Action
Activity C: Reflecting, Sharing, Celebrating
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Paid
Need a printed set? The 4-H store provides a paid option for this module set. The content is the same but the modules are printed, spiral-bound, and sent directly to you - skip the lines and stress of your local copy store. Visit the 4-H store (Paid Print Version)