RECURSOS

Big Idea: Plastic

Jun 26, 2022

Plastic is a perfect Big Idea to start your CBL because it is a complex topic that spans science, history, politics, economics, and human behavior. While we are learning more and more that plastic is bad for the environment and our health, it is still ubiquitous in almost everyone’s daily life. From computers, cars and lightweight packaging that has made the safe transfer of food possible, plastics have benefited our daily lives. Plastic has made our lives better and worse at the same time. 

Many of us do not think twice about how much plastic we use, directly and indirectly. And, for those who see the problem, there is a struggle to identify meaningful ways to make a difference.

Starting from the initial Challenge: Eliminate/Mitigate the negative impact of plastic!, Investigate deeply to understand the issue from a wide range of perspectives fully. There is a desperate need for creative and innovative thinking resulting in local and global solutions. Refine the Challenge to something contextual and actionable based on your new findings. Then start digging and thinking to develop sustainable solutions that move the needle.

Plastic is a Big Idea that will take deep thinking and learning to find solutions. So let’s get started as our health and the health of our planet depends on it. 

comprometerse

Big Idea: Plastic
Essential Question: How do we eliminate the negative impact of plastic?
Challenge: Eliminate/Mitigate the negative impact of plastic!

Ejemplos de preguntas orientadoras

Estas son sólo preguntas de ejemplo que le animamos a hacer tantas preguntas personales y contextuales como sea posible.

  1. What is plastic?
  2. What are the ingredients in plastic?
  3. Where do we find plastics in our daily lives?
  4. What are the problems with plastic?
  5. What are the benefits of plastic?
  6. Why do we use so much plastic?
  7. What is the history of plastic development and use?
  8. What are the substitutes for plastic?
  9. Where does used plastic ends up?
  10. Does recycling work?
  11. Etc.

*Once you brainstorm all of the questions organize and prioritize them to prepare for an efficient and effective Investigation.

Investigar

Actividades y recursos rectores
Estos son sólo un conjunto de actividades y recursos de ejemplo y los alumnos necesitarán evaluar la calidad del contenido. No son verificadas o necesariamente soportadas, solo ejemplos. Los que usted elija deben estar en relación directa con sus preguntas y contexto específicos de guía. Las actividades y los recursos para adultos, adolescentes y niños pequeños serán diferentes. El objetivo es desarrollar soluciones que signifique algo en su comunidad y sean sostenibles.

Actividades de ejemplo

  1. Starting with the Guiding Resources below develop a foundational understandign of the science, history, economics and politics of Plastics. Avoid jumping to conclusions and only supporting your opinions. Embrace the complexity and work to develop a braod view of the Big Idea and Challenge.
  2. Complete a personal inventory of where you use plastic in your daily life. Using your inventory explore possible options for replacing plastic. Consider what causes a barrier (habit, no options, health codes, etc.)
  3. Explore different industries (technology, health care, automotive, etc.) and learn how and where plastic is used. Consider the costs and benefits.
  4. Trace the lifecycle of plastic from the original ingredients to disposal.
  5. Identify the primary manufacturers of plastic are and find out what they are doing to protect people and the environment.
  6. Explore how plastic is used in your school and identiify if there are any policies or plans in place to replace, reduce or recycle.
  7. Research the effectiveness of recycling in your community.
  8. etc.

Recursos de ejemplo

  1. History and Future of Plastics – https://www.sciencehistory.org/the-history-and-future-of-plastics
  2. Politics and the plastic crisis: A review throughout the plastic life cycle – https://wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wene.360
  3. The Plastic Problem – https://www.nationalgeographic.org/lesson/plastic-problem/
  4. The Problems with Plastics – https://www.publichealthpost.org/research/problems-with-plastics/ 
  5. The Benefits of Plastic – https://cei.org/studies/the-immeasurable-benefits-of-plastics-to-humanity/
  6. The New Plastics Economy – https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_New_Plastics_Economy.pdf
  7. Recycling Plastic Does Not Work – https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/05/single-use-plastic-chemical-recycling-disposal/661141/

Síntesis

El uso de los hallazgos de investigación de sus investigaciones desarrollan una síntesis que demuestra una clara comprensión del desafío. Para obtener ayuda con la creación de una síntesis explorar este recurso.

Prototipos de la solución – el uso de su síntesis de investigación crea múltiples ideas para soluciones y revisa cada una para asegurarse de que su investigación lo apoye. Comparta los prototipos con varias partes interesadas y obtenga retroalimentación.

Solución – con la retroalimentación de las partes interesadas desarrollar una solución que tiene el mayor potencial para el éxito.

ACTÚAN

Implementar – desarrollar un plan para implementar la solución con las partes interesadas y recopilar datos sobre el impacto.

Evaluar – el uso de medidas cuantitativas y cualitativas determina si la solución es válida y qué se puede mejorar.

REFLEJAR, DOCUMENTAR Y COMPARTIR

A lo largo de la experiencia Tómese el tiempo para documentar los eventos y reflexionar sobre lo que está sucediendo para construir sobre conocimientos previos e identificar preguntas futuras.

Share what you learned with your local community and the world. Use #challengebasedlearning on social media.