Biodegradable Plastic- A Project Based Learning Activity (Year 10)
A UN report warns that plastic litter is spreading from Arctic to the Antarctic. In addition, Thailand is among the five Asian Countries that dump more plastic into oceans than the rest of the world combined: As a group expert chemist specialized in biodegradable plastic, how can you help a panel of government officials on deciding the best approach for solving the plastic pollution in Thailand and potentially the rest of the world ?
The Goals of the project:
1- Exploring and sharing the environmental effect of plastic on our environment.
2- Researching the benefits and challenges of using biodegradable plastic and related technologies in reducing the environmental pollution.
3- Activating and improving science students' Information Literacy
4- Gaining 21st century skills through Finding solutions to real-world problems
1- Exploring and sharing the environmental effect of plastic on our environment.
2- Researching the benefits and challenges of using biodegradable plastic and related technologies in reducing the environmental pollution.
3- Activating and improving science students' Information Literacy
4- Gaining 21st century skills through Finding solutions to real-world problems
We are going to use Project based learning to make sure we can reach goals
What is Project-Based Learning ?
Please Watch the following video and complete the questionnaire:
The following are the essential components and processes of Project-based learning (Larmer & Mergendoller, 2010).
In the next, 2-3 weeks, we will learn how to design a Problem Based Learning activity while learning essential information literacy exploring the plastic related environmental disasters. During this project, you will work in groups 4-5 students and design your activities based on your final product that you want to share with the community. You have the autonomy to decide on the type of the product that you would like to choose.However your project should include the following:
1- Project Plan
2- A form outlining and explaining the role of each student in the group
3- Daily Journals: Teacher will explain the important components of a daily journal. The teacher will share an example of a daily journal. However, each group must design their own daily journal template.
4- Laboratory/design Journal: Teacher will explain the important components of a laboratory journal. The teacher will share an example of a daily journal. However, each group must design their own laboratory/design journal template.
5- Goal setting Plan
6- A physical product
7- A Digital, Multimedia or Literacy product (not a presentation or essay). Each group is required to decide on their product and the process independently.
Examples of Digital, Multimedia or Literacy products:
The following are the essential components and processes of Project-based learning (Larmer & Mergendoller, 2010).
1- Activating Prior Knowledge
Class work:
In the next, 2-3 weeks, we will learn how to design a Problem Based Learning activity while learning essential information literacy exploring the plastic related environmental disasters. During this project, you will work in groups 4-5 students and design your activities based on your final product that you want to share with the community. You have the autonomy to decide on the type of the product that you would like to choose.However your project should include the following:
1- Project Plan
2- A form outlining and explaining the role of each student in the group
3- Daily Journals: Teacher will explain the important components of a daily journal. The teacher will share an example of a daily journal. However, each group must design their own daily journal template.
4- Laboratory/design Journal: Teacher will explain the important components of a laboratory journal. The teacher will share an example of a daily journal. However, each group must design their own laboratory/design journal template.
5- Goal setting Plan
6- A physical product
7- A Digital, Multimedia or Literacy product (not a presentation or essay). Each group is required to decide on their product and the process independently.
Examples of Digital, Multimedia or Literacy products:
- A Short Story
- A well-designed Play
- A comic book
- An interactive poster
- A short movie
The following are the essential components and processes of Project-based learning (Larmer & Mergendoller, 2010).
1- Activating Prior Knowledge
Class work:
- An entry event : Please click on the following link and complete the KWL chart, I will explain the purpose of KWL chart in class and model how to complete it.
2- Making a Driving Question
3- Giving students voice and choice
6- Critiquing the progress and revising
7- Presenting the product to a real audience
3- Giving students voice and choice
- Students decide on the type of the product they will create
- Students decide the material and resources needed
- Students will decide the on the process on the timing of each activity
- Students choose the topic of the project
- Students make the driving question
- Creativity and Critical activity
- Metacognition
- Information and IT Literacy
- Communication and collaboration
- Global Citizenship and community awareness
6- Critiquing the progress and revising
7- Presenting the product to a real audience