The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Renewable vs Non-Renewable Resources

What is the difference between a renewable and a non-renewable resource?  Check out this video and read the passage to learn about these things.

Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources 

Gen Genius Video

Read this passage about renewable and non-renewable resources.

Engineering Activity:  Hydropower Waterwheel

Can you answer these exit ticket questions?

Level 1

List 2 types of fossil fuels and 2 types of renewable energy sources.

Level 2

Describe two disadvantages to using fossil fuels.

Level 3

Explain why using an electric car is not always good for the environment.

The Reality of Plastic -- Part 2

1. Watch the videos.
2. Read about the pros and cons of plastic.  What do you think?
3. Here is a second page dealing with the pros and cons of plastic.
4. Here is a website from England called Kids Against Plastic.
5. Here is an article from plastic makers telling you why they believe plastic is a good thing.
6. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch from National Geographic.

The Reality of Plastic

Once you have watched the video above, read this article:
Plastic: The Popular Pollutant
Then watch this next video and see what new information you can get.

Debate Topic: Should Plastic Bags Be Banned?

We read about this topic in our Scholastic News this week.  What should be done?  Read a few of these links for more information about this topic as we debate and write persuasively about it.

How does this have an effect on your life?  Read about San Jose's plastic bag ban.

Ban Plastic Bags -- Why does this 11 year old author feel this way?
Unintended Consequences -- Why does this author feel this way?

Great Pacific Garbage Patch -- Nat Geo
Paper vs. Plastic
Pro & Con newspaper article about bag bans.
European perspective on this issue.
Plastic Bags and Take Out Containers