In this unit, students investigate physical and chemical change by collecting data about the permanence of objects and their gradual degradation. They collect information about how their community takes care of rubbish and design new waste disposal solutions. 

• Properties of synthetic and natural materials, degradation, biodegradation, waste disposal systems, human impacts on the environment 

This unit has a creativity and critical thinking focus:

• Design personally novel investigations into the composition of objects and what this means for their persistence over time.

• Generate solutions to the problem of the build-up of rubbish in a community.

• Evaluate solutions from different perspectives and weigh them against the solutions currently used in the community.

Web and Print

• Possible resources for students to read in step 5: 

  • http://amzn.to/1q8fCTv 

  •  http://amzn.to/1RuUUpU 

  • http://amzn.to/1pDaztP 

•  Pumpkin: A Rotten Tale in 15 Voices by David M. Schwartz 

  • http://amzn.to/1q8cBCA 

  • https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/Kindergarden/kidscompost/CompostingForKids.pdf

•   Printed materials about waste disposal in the local area and about concepts covered in Step 7 

        Other Resources

• Paper, clipboards, school maps, or drawn paper maps 

• Materials for investigations: Paper, water, containers, earth/soil, rubbish of various kinds. 

      Opportunities to adapt, extend, and enrich

• Use text resources to investigate how materials are recycled in nature, then go to a natural area and look for signs of dead plants or animals being consumed/recycled.  

• Recycle up and make artwork with rubbish.

English Version

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zRWmjd-P7GrAb5UNoH7DqOc0jmNpoKZs04DLXHsvA6U/edit?usp=sharing

Hindi Version

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/18EgA4v5AuZXkwAZTVA8acxd4WCaczkkoGPLen8nT8NU/edit?usp=sharing

Gujarati Version

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FrfVJrHt1xxUoehnUVuWwTBdPXxQBJBYNwj2R1NhGuk/edit?usp=sharing

Kannada Version

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-aqUgrNs5MFFSKHP3n7AHuFpXjRDsEkxculIUc7vIYU/edit?usp=drive_link