EarthCycles is part of the Steel Recycling Institute's SteelCycles program targeted at students in grades 5-8. EarthCycles was approved for designation as a National Recycling Coalition (NRC) "Best Practice in Education" environmental education program. EarthCycles is designed to provide exemplar environmental lessons that:
- Align with state and national standards.
- Address real-world issues through authentic learning experiences. Each lesson includes current research and websites that will allow the teacher and student to find the latest research and information.
- Embed reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies in the lessons. Teach teh lessons across the curriculum in more than one subject area.
- Require minimal additional supplies or equipment. Engage students and the community in collecting reusable and other material recommended for each lesson. Excess materials can be recycled or reused. Model environmental awareness and responsibility through waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
Lessons include:
- Composting with Worms
- Essential Question: How much food waste would be diverted from landfills each year if every household used a vermicomposting system for food waste?
- Objective: Students will develop an understanding of decomposition and decomposers by observing the process of vermicomposting as an option for food waste disposal and to reduce reliance on landfills.
- Leachate Colection
- Essential Question: How can communities better protect groundwater, rivers and lakes from being contaminated by the leachate that is produced, especially from landfill waste?
- Objective: Students will be able to compare and contrast the types of soils used in the design of landfills to determine the amount of leachate produced, and how groundwater is protected from contamination.
- Metal for Toasters
- Essential Question: What are the challenges for consumers and communities in recycling household items such as toasters?
- Objective: Students will be able to identify the challenges in recycling electronics and small appliances like toasters, and develop a plan for recycling these products.
- Prospecting for Ore
- Essential Question: How are veins of underground ores located and mined?
- Objective: Students will be able to simulate the process for locating underground ores by using an electrical prospecting method.
- Steel Home
- Essential Question: In terms of sustainability, how does steel framing compare/contrast to wood as an alternative building material for the construction of new homes?
- Objective: Students will design and build a “steel home, and compare and contrast the sustainability characteristics of the construction materials, such as: recyclable content; structure and properties of matter; strength; maintenance requirements; and the handling of construction waste.
- What ’s A MRF?
- Essential Question: What is the most efficient process for collecting, sorting and processing commingled recyclables?
- Objective: Students will conduct a mini MRF demonstration. Upon completion, students will be able to identify the most
efficient process for collecting and processing of commingled recyclables.
EarthCycle Resources