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Description
The video "The Cost of Convenience" explores the history of plastics, how they are made, and the waste stream their use creates. It explains very clearly how plastic came to be indispensable in modern day and presents both the positive and negative aspects of plastic use.
The video is accompanied by activity suggestions including a one minute plastic scavenger hunt followed by identifying the single-use items and ways that those items could be reused. A second activity involves the students in learning about the different types of plastics: clear, opaque, rigid, and flexible. Then they photograph examples of each type, identify their characteristics and research how each of the different items are recycled locally and their impact on the environment.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
The video and supporting activities provide a solid resource for the middle school Science classroom to address curriculum outcomes related to human impact on the environment and climate change. The resource could be used in conjunction with Earth Day or Plastic Free Day or before taking the No Plastic Challenge.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environment and Outdoor Education: Environmental Core
- Environment and Outdoor Education: Environmental Investigations
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Chemistry
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Environmental Chemistry (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions Within Ecosystems
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- People & Places in the World: Global Quality of Life
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Water Systems on Earth
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Interactions in Our Environment
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Chemistry and the Environment
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Environmental Chemistry (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- :Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Living World
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Living World
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Applied Science & Technology: The Living World
- Science and Technology: The Living World
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Contemporary World: Environment
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon Territory
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)
- Climate Change
Citizenship (1)
- Sustainable Consumption
Ecosystems (1)
- Appreciating the Natural World
Waste Management (2)
- Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Source Reduction
