MobileMuster - Resource Extraction Game

Australian curriculum content descriptions: 

Year 4 – Humanities and Social Sciences:

• The use and management of natural resources and waste, and the different views on how to do this sustainably (ACHASSK090)

Years 3&4 – Design and Technologies:

• Investigate the suitability of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment for a range of purposes (ACTDEK013)

Year 4 – Science:

• Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties that can influence their use (ACSSU074)
• Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity (ACSSU075)

Syllabus outcomes: GE2-2, GE2-3, ST2-13MW, 

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability

Relevant parts of Years 3 & 4 achievement standards: 

Year 4 – Humanities and Social Sciences:
Students examine the concept of sustainability, and its application to resource use and waste management, past and present, by different groups.

Years 3 & 4 – Design and Technologies:
Students examine social and environmental sustainability implications of existing products and processes to raise awareness of their place in the world.

Year 4 – Science:
Students broaden their understanding of classification and form and function through an exploration of the properties of natural and processed materials.

Unit of work: MobileMuster – Hands-on Mobile Phone Recycling – Years 3-6

Time required: 90+ mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: High – Teacher will need to explain new concepts, set up and oversee complex activities

• Student worksheets – one per student
• One copy of the ‘Mobile Phone Worksheet’ per two students
• One printed copy of the ‘Mobile Phone Worksheet Answers’ a downloaded copy ready to project for the class
• A device capable of presenting videos and this MobileMuster Flipbook to the class
• A class set of devices with internet access for paired research
• Scorecard (one per group of approx. 4 students) Note – this one scorecard can be used across all lessons in this unit of work. 
• Materials to make model mines:
  • Either a sandpit that can fit the whole class OR 1 sand-filled tray per 4 students
    A range of ‘mining tools’ for each group, which will vary depending on the ‘mine’ you are using. Sandpit could be toy diggers, plastic spades, wooden poles as drills, etc. Whereas clay/plasticine might require toothpicks, tweezers, skewers, forks, spoons and straws or pipes as drills
  • Toy trucks or buckets for transporting materials for processing
  • 2x Bucket/container
  • 5x dollar coins
  • 5x ten cent pieces
  • 5x 20 cent pieces
  • 5x 50 cent pieces
  • 5x one or two cent pieces or scoria rocks
  • 5x grey rocks
  • 5x small magnets
  • 5x five cent pieces
  • 5x aluminum Foil
  • 5x marbles

Note: The above materials to make model mines are only suggestions. You could substitute these items with any other safe items such as different coloured pieces of plastic, cut up metal strips from a science supply company, marbles, or chocolate money!

• Collaboration
• Ethical understanding
• Global citizenship
• Problem solving

This lesson has been developed as part of Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week. Following this lesson plan is an ideal way for your school to take part in MobileMuster. You’ll be joining thousands of amazing teachers in making a difference and creating positive environmental change. Take part in the Schools Recycling Right Challenge for Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week. Register your lesson or other activities today!