Today we become heroes for our planet! We will learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), understand why we must protect the Earth, and use our STEAM skills to recycle and upcycle waste into beautiful new creations.
Student Name: _______________________ Age: _____
Does the student show concern for the environment? (Check one)
The world has 17 big goals to make life better for everyone by 2030! These include No Poverty, Quality Education, Clean Water, and Climate Action. STEAM is the tool we use to achieve these goals.
Focus: Learning that the Earth is our home and we must share it with animals and plants. Learning the difference between a trash can and a recycling bin. Naturalist
Focus: Identifying specific goals like "Life Below Water" (Goal 14) and "Life on Land" (Goal 15). Discussing how throwing plastic away hurts ocean animals.
Focus: Discussing complex global challenges like Energy (Goal 7) and Sustainable Cities (Goal 11). How can engineers solve these problems? Existential
Grasp of Global Citizenship (Caring for the world):
Instead of cutting down more trees, we can recycle! We will tear up old, used paper, soak it in water to make paper pulp, and use a mesh screen to press it into brand new, textured paper.
Focus: Sensory play! Tearing the paper into tiny pieces (fine motor skills) and feeling the squishy wet pulp in the water. Bodily-Kinesthetic
Focus: Using the mesh screen to catch the pulp. Pressing a sponge to remove the water. Adding dried flowers or leaves into their paper for art!
Focus: The science of cellulose fibers binding together as they dry. Discussing the industrial paper recycling process and its energy efficiency.
Willingness to engage in the messy pulp process:
Understanding of saving trees:
Recycling breaks things down, but *Upcycling* turns trash directly into something better! We will take plastic bottles, cardboard, and bottle caps to engineer toys, planters, or art.
Focus: Decorating a pre-cut plastic bottle to make a simple plant pot or a sensory shaker toy. Spatial
Focus: Designing a toy car using cardboard tubes and bottle cap wheels. Learning how to join different materials together.
Focus: Solving a problem using waste. Building a functional desk organizer, a bird feeder, or a complex structural model using only discarded materials. Logical-Math
Creativity in Upcycling (Seeing potential in trash):
Learning is only the first step; taking action is what matters! We will use our new handmade recycled paper to write or draw a promise to the Earth about how we will help achieve the SDGs.
Focus: Drawing a picture of a tree or a heart on their paper. Promising to throw trash in the bin. Intrapersonal
Focus: Writing a simple sentence: "I will save water when brushing my teeth" or "I will turn off the lights."
Focus: Making a specific, measurable commitment to an SDG (e.g., reducing single-use plastics, educating family members). Linguistic
Sincerity and Personal Connection to the pledge:
Based on today's environmental activities, where did the student shine the most? (Mark top 2)
Overall Day 8 Rating for Environmental Empathy & Creativity:
Educator Notes: ___________________________________________________________