GBC Lesson Plan

From the “Thermal” Group

Our Topic: Packaging of Products

Lesson Objective Students will be aware of

wastefulness vs. necessity in packaging

Students will be able to identify different types of packaging as recyclable, more/less wasteful, etc.

Have students bring in examples of packaged products from home, in particular, ones that they may consider as being “wasteful”

The teacher can provide other examples of products and/or pictures of large items (i.e. cardboard and styrofoam boards around a big TV)

“Before”Collect Examples of Packaged Products

View multiple examples of different types of packaging (plastic, cardboard, packing peanuts, air bags, food packaging, etc.)

Calculate the ratio of product vs. packaging by measuring surface area, volume, and/or density

Sort packaging materials into paper, plastic, styrofoam, other, etc.

“During”Examine Packaged Products

How efficient or wasteful is the packaging? Give evidence/criteria that describes the packaging as excessive or efficient

How is packaging necessary for this particular product?

Are the packaging materials recyclable?

“After”Analyze Results

Suggested Extension Activities Create a presentation to

convey their findings

Re-engineer packaging design to use recyclable materials and be less wasteful

Write to companies, identifying wastefulness in packaging and expressing desire to have less wasteful products

Start a recycling program at home/school

Engineering

ELA

ELA and Technolo

gy

Community Service