Lesson summary
In this activity, students will look at the different types of shopping bags that are available to shoppers (plastic grocery carry bags, plastic fruit and vegetable/meat bags, plastic heavy duty bags, paper bags and reusable bags/boxes) and the pros and cons of each type. They will calculate how many bags their family brings home each week and then estimate how many single use bags their family uses in one year. This activity requires preparation from both the teacher and the students.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- understand that the bags that we use to carry all the things that we buy are very convenient, but their inappropriate disposal can have major impacts on the built and natural environment
- recognise that choosing the right bags to carry our things is just as important as choosing the right things in the first place
- discover that the choice of shopping bag is not always straight forward.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum Mapping
Australian Curriculum content descriptions:
Year 7 Science:
- Science understanding influences the development of practices in areas of human activity such as industry, agriculture and marine and terrestrial resource management (ACSHE121)
- Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge (ACSIS124)
- Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS133)
Year 8 Science:
- Science understanding influences the development of practices in areas of human activity such as industry, agriculture and marine and terrestrial resource management (ACSHE136)
- Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge (ACSIS139)
- Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS148)
Syllabus Outcomes: SC4-13ES, SC4-4WS, SC4-9WS.
Resources Required
- Several sets of different shopping bags:
- Plastic grocery carry bags
- Plastic fruit and vegetable/meat bags
- Plastic heavy duty bags
- Paper bags and reusable bags/boxes
- If possible, include some biodegradable bags
- Sensitive scales
- Access to the Internet
- Student worksheet
Additional info
This is an original Cool.org lesson. Facts and figures in these lessons may have changed since this lesson was published. We always endeavour to update our resources in a timely manner, but if you see an error or issue in our resources please get in touch with us.
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