About this resource
Show students the TED ED Talk animated video: "What really happens to the plastic you throw away?" by Emma Bryce. Discuss the questions on the Dig Deeper and Think segments following the video. Brainstorm ways that we can recycle or upcycle plastic products.
Ask the students to generate a definition for upcycling and record their answers on the white board. Possible answers would be creative reuse, transforming of unwanted products to new materials, converting old materials into something useful etc. Discuss with the students questions that they can consider about what happens to the waste we accumulate on earth, and in space, and what we can do to mitigate the damages that this causes.
Direct the sixth graders to the craft supplies at the tables and explain that they will have an opportunity to upcycle using CD, DVD or VHS cases. The students will utilize these cases as well as scissors, old magazines for pictures, duct tape, glue, felt, paper, and stickers to create any of the following suggested items or an innovation of their choice:
DVD or CD case: photo cube, game for traveling in the car, jewelry case, recipe holder, coasters, wall art, gift holder
VHS: pencil or art box, purse, emergency medical kit for car, treasure box, book holder, memory box, sewing kit
The students will jot down ideas and questions that they have about how to utilize these supplies for upcycling. When they have an idea outlined, they will work on their innovation then share a finished or partial project with the class explaining its new purpose.
Curriculum & Standards
Related General Curriculum / Common Core Area
Science
Related Curriculum / Common Core Standard
The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Middle School Science: Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student knows that information and critical thinking are used in scientific problem solving. The student is expected to:
1.3A Identify and explain a problem such as finding a home for a classroom pet and propose a solution in his/her own words.
What students will do
6th grade students will learn the importance of recycling and upcycling and propose a solution to a problem.
Resources Needed
Empty VHS, DVD and CD cases
Glue, stickers, duct tape, scissors, felt, paper, magazines
White board
Computer and projector