Driving Question
2nd-5th
What PBE Principles were highlighted in this project?
Community as Classroom, Learner-Centered, Design Thinking, Inquiry-Based, Interdisciplinary, Local to Global
Project Description
This unit reflected student interest in learning more about the Plastic Bag Ban in town as well as student interest in recycling and upcycling. It pulled on competencies from Language and Literacy, Science, and Leadership and Self Awareness. The challenge was open-ended as students were able to dig super deep into the science and social implications, or stay at the surface if needed. Students in grades 2-3 collected data from the Jackson Hole community about the placement of refillable water bottle stations, researched single-use plastics, and wrote persuasive letters to the city government about a ban on single use plastic bags. Students in grades 4-5 collected data, and graphed their own use of single use plastics at school and home. They then worked in groups to create graphs and presentations around individual single use plastic use and solicited information from the greater TSS community about single use plastic.
Students in grades 2-3 collected plastic bags to recycle or reuse, participated in distributing reusable grocery bags for the plastic bag ban in town and helped to educate about a Straw Free town.
How did this positively impact community? How was it shared?
Students identified and worked to improve problems in their community. They considered the power of community and how they could help their community impact the use of single use plastics. They reached out to the community through data gathering, analysis and presentation, education campaigns, and letter-writing.
Reflection
“The 2-3 class is wrapping up a great unit on single-use plastics at the moment. They are writing persuasive letters to both local and national businesses regarding plastic straws, bottles, and bags. We are on a roll to kick plastic!” – Bari
