Cradle-to-Cradle Student Project Sheet Project Title: Cradle-to-Cradle Today s world has placed a renewed emphasis on recycling. New technology has given many former waste products a second chance. Consider the issues: When you drive down the streets of your city on trash day, you see bags and containers full of trash. If your city has an annual or semiannual heavy trash pick up, you will see TVs, many large electronic devices, furniture, etc., lining the sidewalks ready to be delivered to a landfill. Have you seen a car or truck graveyard where vehicles go when they are worn out or damaged beyond repair? A relatively recent focus in the manufacturing industry is demanufacturing. That means taking apart products that aren t useful anymore and recycling, reusing, remanufacturing or reprocessing the parts. Where practical, demanufacturing can help minimize the amount of solid waste sent to landfills. In most manufacturing operations, an environmentally responsible understanding of the life cycle of a product includes attention to these issues when the original design for the product is created. You can find more detailed information related to demanufacturing with a Web search that will likely include Rutgers Business School and a number of other commercial sites that are using the concept to develop business opportunities. Even Aveda, a cosmetic company, is designing products that are environmentally friendly. Aveda s president proudly described the company s Gold Cradle-to-Cradle certification for three shampoos, three conditioners and one skin care product in a May 2009 podcast at http://www.greenbiz.com/podcast/2009/05/12/aveda-cradle-cradle-and-paradigm-shift-cosmetics?utm_source= GreenerWorld+Media+Sub. In the same interview he said that the company s packaging had received silver certification. Every product has some impact on the environment at all stages of its life cycle. You ve probably heard of some of those issues. Identify how those environmental issues relate to a vehicle that you recognize in order to answer these two questions: What is the environmental challenge? How does the industry deal with the challenge or what might you suggest for each of the following environmental issues? - Energy supply - Raw materials - The actual manufacturing production process - Transportation and distribution - Product operation and use - End-of-life product decisions Now choose a product that you can safely analyze. Make a list of all the parts you can see. Make suggestions for recycling those parts when the product is ready for the grave. 14.1
Cradle-to-Cradle Teacher Information Sheet Project Title: Cradle-to-Cradle Subject: Science Science Topic: The Environment Related Article: Windows, Student Publication, pages 48-50 Career Cluster: Integrated Clusters: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Business Management & Administration Education & Training Finance Information Technology Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Suggested Time: One 50-minute class period Materials Needed: Student Project Sheet Writing tools paper or electronic Individually chosen products TEACHER NOTES Here are some thought starters for students to consider: Energy efficiency involves both production and consumer use of the piece of equipment. Consider alternative raw materials that are cost-effective and will perform as well as or better than materials that may be nonrenewable. Raw materials that are environmentally friendly are often an option. Well-maintained equipment during the production process will impact environmental efficiency. Logistics and distribution planning for transporting both raw materials and finished products will save time and money, as well as reduce environmental impact. Brainstorm products that are safe to analyze for this project. If students choose a product that has hazardous materials, define parameters that allow them to examine the item. Give the group an opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences. 14.2
Cradle-to-Cradle INTEGRATED STANDARDS AND SKILLS Language Determine meaning of words or phrases using context clues from sentences or paragraphs. Use prior knowledge, content and text type features to make, to revise and to confirm predictions. Use information from the text to make inferences and draw conclusions. Follow directions presented in technical text. Develop a technical text focused on one main purpose. Select words that consider appropriate connotation for the intended task/format. Science Actively engages in conducting an inquiry, formulating and revising scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence and recognizing that potential alternative explanations and models should be considered. Understand that matter has energy. Mass and energy can be interchanged. The total energy in the universe is constant, but the type of energy may vary. Understand that technology is the application of scientific knowledge for functional purposes. Understand that science advances new technologies. New technologies open new areas for scientific inquiry. Understand that some chemical and physical hazards and accidents can be avoided through safety education. Understand that there is a need to assess potential risk and danger from natural and humaninduced hazards. Understand that progress in science and technology can be affected by social issues and challenges. Science and technology indicate what can happen, not what should happen. Recognize that society helps create the ways of thinking required for scientific advances, both toward training scientists and educating a populace to utilize benefits of science. Understand that scientific knowledge describes and explains the physical world in terms of matter, energy and forces. Scientific knowledge is provisional and is subject to change as new evidence becomes available. Social Studies Analyze and explain the ways groups, societies and cultures address human needs and concerns. Analyze the extent to which groups and institutions meet individual needs and promote the common good in contemporary and historical settings. Apply knowledge of production, distribution and consumption in the analysis of a public issue such as the allocation of health care or the consumption of energy, and devise an economic plan for accomplishing a socially desirable outcome related to that issue. Identify and describe both current and historical examples of the interaction and interdependence of science, technology and society in a variety of cultural settings. Make judgments about how science and technology have transformed the physical world and human society and our understanding of time, space, place and human-environment interactions. 14.3 (continued)
Cradle-to-Cradle Analyze how science and technology influence the core values, beliefs and attitudes of society, and how core values, beliefs and attitudes of society shape scientific and technological change. Recognize and interpret varied perspectives about human societies and the physical world using scientific knowledge, ethical standards and technologies from diverse world cultures. Analyze and evaluate the effects of changing technologies on the global community. Analyze the causes, consequences and possible solutions to persistent, contemporary and emerging global issues, such as health, security, resource allocation, economic development and environmental quality. Identify, analyze, interpret and evaluate sources and examples of citizens rights and responsibilities. Locate, access, analyze, organize, synthesize, evaluate and apply information about selected public issues identifying, describing and evaluating multiple points of view. Participate in activities to strengthen the common good, based upon careful evaluation of possible options for citizen action. ASCA NATIONAL STANDARDS Acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span. Complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial postsecondary options, including college. Understand the relationship of academics to the world of work and to life at home and in the community. Acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions. Understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, training and the world of work. Acquire the knowledge, attitudes and interpersonal skills to understand and respect self and others. 21ST-CENTURY LIFE & CAREER SKILLS Apply critical thinking and problem-solving strategies during structured learning experiences. Present resources and data in a format that effectively communicates the meaning of the data and its implications for solving problems, using multiple perspectives. Assist in the development of innovative solutions to an onsite problem by incorporating multiple perspectives and applying effective problem-solving strategies during structured learning experiences, service learning or volunteering. Explain the impact of current and emerging technological advances on the demand for increased and new types of accountability and productivity in the global workplace. Demonstrate a positive work ethic in various settings, including the classroom and during structured learning experiences. Relate scientific advances to the creation of new ethical dilemmas. 14.4 (continued)
Cradle-to-Cradle ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL STATEMENTS Demonstrate language arts knowledge and skills required to pursue the full range of postsecondary education and career opportunities. Demonstrate science knowledge and skills required to pursue the full range of postsecondary and career education opportunities. Select and employ appropriate reading and communication strategies to learn and use technical concepts and vocabulary in practice. Employ critical-thinking skills independently and in teams to solve problems and make decisions. Conduct technical research to gather information necessary for decision-making. Describe the nature and types of business organizations to build an understanding of the scope of organizations. Implement quality control systems and practices to ensure quality products and services. Complete work tasks in accordance with employee rights and responsibilities and employers obligations to maintain workplace safety and health. Employ leadership skills to accomplish organizational goals and objectives. 14.5