1999 / 2000 Timeline

Preparation for the Students

As we start off with a new year, we will introduce the issue of recycling. Students will be shocked when they walk into their classroom filled with trash that they have accumulated for one week. At this time, an article on what we do with our garbage will be discussed. From this, questions will be generated on a weekly basis.

Week One: What's in our garbage? Dump garbage from various sites in school, calculate, weigh, and sort. Record data on spreadsheet and share results with class.

Week Two: Where do products that we waste come from? Study raw materials that are in products by using the internet. Chart and graph findings.

Week Three: Where does it go? Use community contacts and talk with Mr. Paddock.

Week Four: How is our school waste different from our home waste? Examine wastes at home and compare/contrast waste at school.

Week Five: How much does recycling cost? Use internet and community contacts to determine cost for our school.

Week Six: How does recycling benefit us?/How do we reduce wastes? Use library and internet for research.

Throughout this project, students will be writing articles to update their projects to the Zionsville Times Sentinel.

Meet the Problem

Day One/Week One: Begin class Know/How Do We Know?/Think We Know/Need to Know chart. Create a mind map using Inspirations Software on recycling and waste.

Day Two/Week Six: Finalize mind maps and define company problem. Brainstorm and finalize company name. Form committees based on interests.

Week Seven: Gather information, utilize community contacts, research resources, generate possible solutions under committees.

Week Eight: Examine possible solutions as a class and decide on solution. Make appointments with contacts for presentations, possibly School Board, etc.

Week Nine: Prepare for presentations. Present at the "Meet the Problem Night" for parents.

Week Ten: Implement school plan by deciding on procedures for class roles in trash collection, payment, sorting, and time schedule.

Debriefing the Problem

Ongoing: Present results from recycling program to School Board, parents, high school, local paper, etc.

Ongoing: Implement plan further into the community by getting Zionsville Community High School involved.