Grade 1 What A Waste!

Subject: Science & Technology

Curriculum Strands: Structures and Mechanisms

Curriculum Topics: Materials, Objects and Everyday Structures

 Big Idea:

• Humans make choices related to their use of objects and materials that have a direct effect on the environment.
• Objects have observable characteristics and are made from materials.

Overall Expectations met by this workshop:

• Assess the impact on people and the environment of objects and structures and materials used in them

Specific Expectations met by this workshop:

Relating Science and Technology to society and the Environment

• Assess the characteristics of various materials. Different characteristics include what they are made from, where they come from and what happens to them once they are no longer needed.

 Developing Investigation and Communication Skills

• Investigate the different textures and structures of waste materials using their senses.
• Investigate directly through experimentation the properties and characteristics of various materials, specifically paper.

 Understanding Basic Concepts

• Describe materials as the substance from which something is made
  • Describe and identify various recyclable materials as the substances which make up objects and structures.
  • Identify the sources in nature of some common materials that are used in making structures, specifically paper made from trees.

Description of EcoHouse Experience:

Students will investigate different types of waste materials using their senses. Once the material/object is revealed they will discuss how this material is used in our everyday lives. They will also discuss the material’s chemical, biological and physical characteristics. To add to this activity student will place one object/material at a time into the Incredible Recycle Machine, and learn how the material is broken down, moulded into pulp or hot metal. As a result of the material being recycled, the machine will turn it into something new. Through a 60 minute tour of the EcoHouse students will be exposed to water and energy saving technology and discover ways to conserve water and energy in the own homes and school. They will learn how to separate waste from recyclable materials and reduce the amount of waste they create. In the final activity students will learn the method involved in making paper by taking recycled paper pulp and making a new piece of paper.