Activity: National Recycling Week: Recycle Rescue – Secondary

Quick summary: In this lesson students will learn about the environmental benefits of recycling mobile phones and printer cartridges. Students will frame the questions they have about mobile phone recycling in a collaborative Chalk-Talk visible thinking routine, then research key questions about recycling and the impact electronic waste has on the environment. They will present their findings to the class, then apply their knowledge by making a decision about why and how they would recycle and mobile phone. 

This lesson has been developed as part of the Schools Recycle Right Challenge for Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week. Register your lesson or other activities so they can be counted towards the national achievement and to receive other free support materials.

 

 Learning intentions:

• Students understand the role and impact of resource use.
• Students begin to take responsibility for unwanted resources.
• Students research the concept of product stewardship.
  

21st century skills:

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content descriptions: 

Year 7 Science

• Some of Earth’s resources are renewable, including water that cycles through the environment, but others are non-renewable (ACSSU116)

Year 8 Science

• Solutions to contemporary issues that are found using science and technology, may impact on other areas of society and may involve ethical considerations (ACSHE135)

Syllabus outcomes: SC4-11PW, SC4-12ES.

General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capabilities.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.3, OI.7, OI.9

Relevant parts of Year 7 Science achievement standards: Students explain possible implications of the solution for different groups in society.

Relevant parts of Year 8 Science achievement standards: Students reflect on implications of these solutions for different groups in society.

Topic: Consumption, National Recycling Week, Cartridges, Resource Recovery

Unit of work: National Recycling week

Time required: 60 mins.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class sharing activities and discussion.

Resources required: A range of whiteboard markers, internet access, data projectors and compatible device capable of playing an online video, enough devices to facilitate online research in groups of 3-4 students, Student Worksheet (one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet).

Additional resources:  

• MobileMuster Website: The Recycling Process
• PlanetArk Factsheet: What Happens To The Printer Cartridges?

Digital learning opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities

Keywords: Waste, litter, e-waste, mobile phones, printer cartridges, consumption, MobileMuster

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.