Overview

Science and Technology & Religion

Unit Title: Fast Fashion

Summary & Background Information:

Students will be learning about, exploring, and deepening science and technology skills through the social justice topic of fast fashion. Students will begin by learning what manufacturing goes into the clothing they wear every day, they will take a look at how the fast fashion industry began, and how this industry affects ecosystems and the environment. Using this knowledge, students will begin an action plan using Catholic social justice teachings of the Church to act as stewards of the environment. Students will work with their school community to do their part to work for the common good of all people and the environment.

Curriculum Links

Grade 6:

Understanding Life Systems - Biodiversity

1. assess human impacts on biodiversity, and identify ways of preserving biodiversity;

2. investigate the characteristics of living things, and classify diverse organisms according

to specific characteristics.

Religious Education: Living in Solidarity

LS1. Understand that each person is responsible for participation in society, to discern, to freely choose their vocation and to make a contribution in the world.

LS2. Understand that by virtue of our human dignity, out of respect for equality and diversity of being and the common good, all human beings are to enjoy certain fundamental human rights.

Grade 7:

Understanding Life Systems - Interactions in the Environment

1. assess the impacts of human activities and technologies on the environment, and evaluate ways of controlling these impacts;

2. investigate interactions within the environment, and identify factors that affect the balance

between different components of an ecosystem.

Religious Education: Living in Solidarity

LS1. Understand that through the sacraments of service we receive the gift of grace to live our vocations as Catholic Christians for the benefit of society and the world.

LS2. Understand that the principle of human solidarity is a Christian social virtue which promotes the individual and communal sharing of material and spiritual goods, and obligates us to seek individual and communal conversion.

Grade 8:

Understanding Matter and Energy -Fluids

1. analyse how the properties of fluids are used in various technologies, and assess the impact of these technologies on society and the environment;

Religious Education: Living in Solidarity

LS1. Understand that the principle of human dignity, revealed in Scripture (i.e. the belief that the human person is made in the image and likeness of God) requires Christians to work for the common good of all people (i.e. respect for the social nature of the human person) and to participate in society.

LS2. Understand that the principles of responsibility and participation in society are Christian social virtues, which call us to roles of leadership, to evangelize through our witness of the Gospel and through the promotion of social justice in the world.

Catholic Graduate Expectations:

1. DISCERNING BELIEVER formed in the Catholic Faith Community who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of God's presence through work, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection and moral living.

3. REFLECTIVE, CREATIVE AND HOLISTIC THINKER who solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good.

5. A COLLABORATIVE CONTRIBUTOR who finds meaning and dignity and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good.

6. A CARING FAMILY MEMBER who attends to family, school, parish and the wider community.

Guiding Questions:

1. What human choices have had an impact on ecosystems and the environment?

2. What is the impact of the fashion industry on the ecosystems and the environment?

3. As Catholic Christians, how can we make a positive contribution to society and the world?

4. How can we work for the common good of all people and the environment?

Learning Goals:

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

• identify and understand how human choices and the fast fashion industry impact ecosystems, society and the environment.

• use a variety of forms (e.g., oral, written, graphic, multimedia) to communicate learning and ideas to a variety of audiences and for a variety of purposes.

• develop attitudes and values founded on Catholic social justice teaching and act to promote social responsibility, human solidarity and the common good.

• become models of Christian living for all those we encounter in our daily lives.

Success Criteria:

I can...

• identify how human choices, activities and industry impact ecosystems and the environment.

• communicate my learning in a variety of ways (speaking, writing, drawing, recording).

• better understand Catholic social justice teachings and act to promote responsibility and solidarity for the common good.

• become a model for Christian living for my school and local community.