WebQuest

Home

 

Recycling in a Technical-Vocational Program

 A WebQuest for 9th to 12th Grade Students in Automotive and Food Service Technology Programs
Designed by:

Guy Amoroso and Bob Lacivita
 

Who is Going to Save Planet Earth?

  Table of Contents

  

Introduction | Task | Curriculum Standards | Process and Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credit and References

 

Introduction

What is the single most serious issue facing planet earth's future? There could be many answers to this question. However, many of the world's leaders in science, technology and government believe protecting our environment and the quality of the air we breath, the water we drink, protecting our natural resources and finding alternative energy sources to produce safe, efficient reduced pollution energy are the main issues facing our planet's future.

This assignment will allow you to experience the value of recycling. In addition, you will be able to compare and contrast the different types waste produced within two separate and dissimilar technical vocational programs. You will then determine what similarities exist in the wastes generated and how they need to be handled during their recovery (when the waste products are produced), storage, recycling and/or disposal.

Recycling in Vocational Labs

Click here for a listing of common waste materials.

Back to Top

Task

Working in groups of four, from the lists provided, you will research four separate wastes (for a total of eight) that are produced in each lab area. Links to web sites with information about these waste products, plus other classroom resources material will be available for you to use.

Once you have your research, your group will determine:

bulletIf any of the auto or food waste products are recyclable.
bulletIf any of the auto or food waste products are harmful to the environment.
bulletIf any of the auto or food waste products can be used as an alternative fuel source.
bulletIf any of the auto or food waste products present an economic issue (either positive or negative).
bulletFind the MSDS (Material Date Safety Sheet) for the product before it became waste (for example: motor oil before it becomes drain oil).
bulletIf any of the auto or food waste products can be recycled on site or do they need to be removed by a certified waste removal company.

When all research is completed, each group member must present:

bulletA summary of findings.
bulletA one-page reflection paper on what you fell you learned during this WebQuest and how you will use this information in the lab (and home) from your findings.
bulletA two-to-three page essay comparing the waste products from the auto lab to the ones produced in the food service lab and how each waste product is recycled or disposed of.

The group will present:

bulletAn outline of their research.
bulletA five-to-six page report, including at least one graph or mathematical formula, to clarify their findings and a bibliography.
bulletPresent an oral report of their findings to the class using either a PowerPoint presentation, overhead display, poster or model to help explain and defend findings and conclusions. Each presentation must include at least one graph or mathematical formula. In addition, show how language arts, math and science skills were used during the course of this project.

Lab Waste By-Products

Auto Technology Waste Products

Food Science Technology Waste Products

1. Waste Motor Oil

1. Styrofoam

2. Waste Anti-Freeze

2. Cooking Oil

3. Air Conditioning Refrigerant

3. Plastics

4. Junk Cars

4. Paper Products

5. Old Tires

5. Fat/Bone Meal

6. Worn Out Batteries

6. Pig Manure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55 Gallon Drums Of Waste Motor Oil And Anti-Freeze

 

Styrofoam Food Carry-Home Container, Plate and Packing "Peanuts"

Air Conditioning Refrigerant Recovery, Recycling, Recharging Unit (Snap-On)

 

Looking at New Ways to Reuse/Recycle Plastics 

 

Car Ready For The Junk Yard

 

Paper Products Have Been Recycled for Many Years

 

Old Tires

 

Swine and Dairy Cow Waste Treatment

 

Old Worn-Out Batteries

Solid Waste Management Site (Mostly Piggy Poop)

Poop Into Energy

Our Miss Peggy is Not Just Any Old Swine!

 

 Back to Top

Curriculum Standards

Demonstrate the ability to recognize the relationship between the waste generated by a technical vocational lab and economic the environment impact of these wastes by integrating language arts, math and science skills.

Back to Top

Process and Resources

Assign roles within your group:

bullet

Examples:
bullet

Team member 1: Recorder - record Web site names, dates visited, other important information to be used. In addition, work with all team members in their research.

bullet

Team member 2: Researcher - Find if the waste is recyclable, and its impact on the environment. Locates websites and other sources of information to support conclusions.

bullet

Team member 3: Essayist - What is the economic impact; can the waste be used as an alternative fuel? Lead discussion of what will be included in the final group report.

bullet

Team member 4: Presenter - MSDS, can waste be recycled on site, can be recycled on site or does it need to be removed by a certified waste removal company? Find if the waste is recyclable, and its impact on the environment. What is the economic impact; can the waste be used as an alternative fuel? Builder of final visual aid for oral presentation.

 

bullet

MSDS

bullet

Can waste be recycled on site, or does it need to be removed by a certified waste removal company?

bullet

Access to on-line resources

bullet

Record findings

bullet

Write outline

bullet

Write summary of findings

bullet

Write reflection

bullet

Compare and contrast waste products of each lab

bullet

Write team essay

bullet

Oral presentation

Resources:

bulletPCs with Internet access
bulletTrade home e-mail addresses and phone numbers
bullet URL Tracking and Information Sheets (teacher provided on web site)
bulletSpecific reference material:
bulletMSDS book, encyclopedia, class textbook, EPA and MSDS videos, teacher, resource person, WebQuest links

Back to Top

Evaluation

Each portion of the WebQuest will be graded on the following criteria using a standardized Evaluation Rubric:

bullet

Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance.

bullet

Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.

bullet

Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.

bullet

Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.

Areas of the project to be graded

Individual grades will be issued for the following:

  1. Outline (10 points)
  2. Reflection (10 points)
  3. Essay on comparison/contrast of wastes and evidence of integrating academic concepts (20 points)

The group grade will be issued for their findings on: 

  1. Findings: The impact of waste products - recyclability, economic impact, environmental impact, and if any of the wastes researched can be used as an alternative fuel or recycled for another use (10 points)
  2. Academic concepts: How were they integrated into the project (10 points)
  3. Group report: Including findings, conclusions and bibliography (20 points)
  4. Oral presentation with visual aid: PowerPoint presentation, overhead display, poster or model to explain and defend your findings and conclusions (20 points)

Back to Top

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have just completed all the components of the project. You have just looked at different waste by-products produced in two unique technical vocational labs. More importantly, not only did you research the facts of a serious issue of today and the future, you wrote your own findings and drew your own conclusions and presented your observations to the class. Well done!

Now you should have a greater appreciation about the waste products produced in our school. Moreover, you now know how to properly recover and store these waste products, determine if they can be recycled, or have to be removed professionally.

Back to Top

Reflection

Part of your final assignment related to this project is to write a one-page reflection about what you learned during this WebQuest experience, and how you will apply this new information into your daily routine.

Back to Top

Credit and References

Photos, Bob Lacivita; Guy Amoroso; AcclaimImages.com; MonsterTrucks; American Forest and Paper Association; Microsoft Encarta, 2004 Ed.; Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Ed.

Special thanks to Snap-On Tools; MACS (The Mobile Air Conditioning Society); Miss Piggy; and the cast of thousands that helped me create this WebQuest!

 

Our Planet is Always Under Attack by Mother Nature --- Don't Add to the Damage.

Back to Top

Introduction | Task | Curriculum Standards | Process and Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credit and References

Home | WebQuest | About Me | Favorites | Virtual Library

Auto Technology | Vocational Education | Class Assignments | Classic Cars

This Site Was Last Updated