Stage Three - You as the Global Citizen
Objective: The student will identify issues of consumption and recycling of plastic in other countries. The student will present ideas about the importance of carefully selecting products and create informative and entertaining presentations that exhibit their ideas. It would be a great discussion for students to review how other countries are tackling issues of plastic consumption (bans and taxes in some countries) and current events surrounding major incidents of health implications and issues of trade with other countries. Students can research the effectiveness of these programs and create a smaller scale program in their homes or school. Discuss how some countries are banning plastic bags or charging for their use. Students should be encouraged to start small with less consumption at the forefront and better use of plastic goods after initial usage next. Creativity and ingenuity can be used to promote more conscious consumption. (For example, students can share their findings with a cafeteria manager or school principal and ask if they can be a part of minimizing consumption of plastics in the building.)
They can also create informative and entertaining ways to persuade others to share in their challenge to minimize plastic consumption. This can be in the form of a video, skit, brochure, or other form of art.
Criteria may include:
- How well students deliver an understanding issue of consumption and the role we play
- How many facts they are able to include that are pertinent to their environment
- How many resources were used to manufacture the product
- How creative and entertaining was the product
Products can be presented in the classroom, school-wide via closed circuit, podcasts or graphic presentations posted around the school or at parent-teacher-student meetings. Solicit the help of your media or technology specialist to assist you with technology implementation if needed. The school can get involved by having contests that check students' awareness after the campaign to minimize consumption is given at school. Recycling clubs can be formed if none exist and future technologies can be researched and discussed.
Students may even contact community leaders, lawmakers, local businesses, corporations or producers of their favorite item listed in Stage One and ask what steps they are taking to minimize the production of plastic products or what challenges have they had in their quest to minimize consumption and the use of plastics. Students can also ask if they have suggestions as to how they can promote consciousness in the school and the community. Be sure to include media awareness by asking students how many references can be found in the media about the problem with plastics and possible solutions.
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