Waste Not – Want Not

Grade Level: 9-12

Academic Areas: Science, Interdisciplinary

Duration of service: Semester-Long

Character Virtues: Responsibility, Civic Virtue and Citizenship

Service Areas: Environmental, Human Services, Public Safety

 

Service Learning Project:

Students will assess the need and advocate for effective solid waste management on the school campus. School community solid waste management needs may include: extensive littering; lack of or ineffective recycling; and lack of or ineffective composting. Participants will include students, teacher(s), custodial staff, school administrators, members of the local neighborhood and local municipal government. The project will take place in the school community and the surrounding neighborhood. The project will begin in the fall and may continue for one semester or one yea Activities will occur primarily during the school day but may extend after school. Student activities include: planning, designing, and conducting a school-wide survey regarding solid waste management issues (littering, recycling, renewable/nonrenewable resources, etc.); analyzing survey results and constructing relevant charts and graphs; using results to develop a more effective solid waste management plan for the school community; engaging in school-wide campus and neighborhood clean-ups; presenting results and possible solutions to school officials. This service project correlates with the NYS Living Environment Core Curriculum.

Goals and Objectives

Academic

Learning Goals: Students will become knowledgeable about solid waste issues.

Standard: MST Standard 1

Learning Goal: Students will learn how to develop solutions to littering and solid waste problems.

Standard: MST Standard 7

Service

Community need: Littering on campus and in the surrounding community is an eyesore and potential health hazard. A recycling program is part of a solution.

Possible Community Partners: School neighborhood and the local municipality.

Objective: Students will design, conduct, and analyze a survey addressing recycling and littering on campus.

Objective: Students will organize and participate in a campus and neighborhood-wide cleanup and advocate for an effective recycling program including awareness building.

Character

Virtue: Civic Virtue and Citizenship

Objective: Students will become conscientious of the importance of litter and solid waste management in their community.

Virtue: Responsibility

Objective: Students will be accountable for sustained commitment to their designated task(s).

Key Activities

Key Planning Activities

  1. Students will research solid waste management options including the pros and cons with respect to the environment and society.
  2. Students and teacher will brainstorm the target and content of the school-wide survey dealing with solid waste management.

Key Service Activities

  1. Students will design, conduct, and analyze a school solid waste survey.
  2. Students will plan and implement a campus-wide and neighborhood cleanup and develop an advocacy program for solid waste management.

Key Reflection Activities

  1. (oral) Students will meet as a group to discuss the benefits of their role in littering and effective solid waste management in their community. (Caring, Respect and Responsibility)
  2. (written) Students will demonstrate their civic responsibility by writing a letter to community member(s), a school board member, superintendent, or elected official regarding their participation in the solid waste management project. (Civic Virtue and Citizenship)
  3. (performance) Students will demonstrate civic responsibility by producing a power point presentation including their survey results to the School Board/Board of Trustees, PTA, Faculty, etc.

Celebration Activity

Upon completion of the students’ survey portion of the project, a recognition certificate will be presented by school and community members. Student recognition certificates will be awarded at a local science or environmental conference to which parents and community members will be invited.