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. 

Envolver

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

Perguntas orientadoras de amostra

Estas são apenas perguntas de exemplo que encorajamos você a fazer tantas perguntas pessoais e contextuais quanto possível.

  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

Orientando atividades e recursos
Estes são apenas um conjunto de exemplos de atividades e recursos e os alunos precisarão avaliar a qualidade do conteúdo. Eles não são verificados ou necessariamente suportados, apenas exemplos. Os que você escolhe devem estar em relação direta com suas questões orientadoras específicas e contexto. Atividades e recursos para adultos, adolescentes e crianças mais jovens serão diferentes. O objetivo é desenvolver soluções que significam algo em sua comunidade e são sustentáveis.

Exemplo de atividades

  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 exemplo

  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/

Síntese

Usando os resultados da pesquisa de suas investigações desenvolver uma síntese que demonstra uma compreensão clara do desafio. Para obter ajuda com a criação de uma síntese explorar este recurso.

Protótipos de soluções – usando sua síntese de pesquisa, crie várias ideias para soluções e analise cada uma delas para garantir que sua pesquisa o apoie. Compartilhe os protótipos com várias partes interessadas e obtenha feedback.

Solução – com o feedback das partes interessadas desenvolver uma solução que tem o maior potencial para o sucesso.

ATO

Implementar – desenvolva um plano para implementar a solução junto aos stakeholders e coletar dados sobre o impacto.

Avaliar – o uso de medidas quantitativas e qualitativas determina se a solução é válida e o que pode ser melhorado.

REFLETIR, DOCUMENTAR E COMPARTILHAR

Ao longo da experiência levar tempo para documentar os acontecimentos e refletir sobre o que está acontecendo para construir sobre o conhecimento prévio e identificar as perguntas futuras.

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