Trash Talk!

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  CTE-AFNR.912.8106810.3.6 - Research Best Management Practices that sustain the natural environment.

  SC.912.N.4.2 - Weigh the merits of alternative strategies for solving a specific societal problem by comparing a number of different costs and benefits, such as human, economic, and environmental.

  SC.912.CS-PC.3.3 - Conduct research using peer reviewed articles, newspapers, magazine articles, and online books.

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson is designed to be used with the case study, “Trash Talk!.” See CPALMS resource ID#214725. Students will research the practice of recycling and consider potential costs and benefits of alternative recycling strategies.

• Career Connection

  
  

  Students will practice soft skills including: problem solving and decision making, active listening and communication.

• Learning Objectives

  
  
  • Students will identify and be able to explain factors that influence policy decision making, including human, economic, and environmental factors.
  • Students will be able to discuss how specific policies and practices are likely to impact the natural environment.
  • Students will be able to apply research to justify their position on policy alternatives.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students need to have some familiarity with conducting research online.

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • Why might someone choose to recycle or not to recycle trash?
  • How might this decision impact the natural environment?
  • In what way could this decision impact other aspects of our community? Jobs? Money? Resources? Time? Effort?
  • How might this decision impact others?

• Procedure

  
  
  1. To introduce the lesson - Teacher Demo: Have a generic classroom trash bin (black/brown, etc. but not blue) and a blue bin. Place in an area that all students can see. Ask students to start thinking about the two bins, making observations about them both, etc. Give them a few minutes to think.
  2. Ask students to share thoughts about why these two bins are being talked about. What kinds of things did they think of when seeing each bin, why is there a color distinction and is that important to them? Why? Allow time for students to share a few thoughts. Most should recognize the blue one as a recycling bin and the other for trash.
  3. This can lead to a brief talk about what recycling is, reviewing the materials that can be recycled. Ask students - Do you currently recycle? Explain why or why not. What is your motivation or driving force for your decision?
  4. Introduce the case study, “Trash Talk!" see CPALMS ID 214725. Have students read through the study in small groups. Students can record their thoughts and questions while reading on the outline worksheet.
  5. Research Activity: Pass out the attached Research Student Notes.
     • Have students research the prompts within the handout and use the table to perform a cost/benefit analysis of the different recycling program alternatives presented in the case study.
  6. After research is complete and students have had a chance to record notes and thoughts - Teachers can lead a discussion or debate regarding whether students agree with the university’s decision to use an alternative approach to recycling trash.
     • Students can agree or disagree with the campus recycling policy as long as they can explain their reasoning.
     • Additionally, students can attempt to provide their own alternative approach if it is backed up with justification from their research.
  7. Closing Activity - Have students write a summary paragraph describing what they learned about recycling procedures. Encourage students to build connections to their future careers and reflect on different costs and benefits that may have had an impact on those making the decision in the case study.

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • This lesson can be extended over multiple class periods to allow students ample time for research and discussion.
  • It may be necessary to review some regulatory agencies and provide examples of policy making decisions at the local and state government before allowing students time for research.