Key question
What happens to packaging?
Outline
The children will discuss the extent to which items in their lunchboxes might decay. In groups they will plan and carry out an investigation to test which items decay. During this investigation they will be required to make predictions, plan and carry out an investigation, record their results and draw conclusions from their results.
Preparation
Collect the resources required for the investigation (see below)
Learning outcomes
On completing these activities all children will be able to:
- plan and conduct an investigation ; and
- record and interpret results and draw conclusions.
Resources
- Range of ‘typical’ foods that might be found in lunchboxes. For example, different types of bread, fruit, wrappers, tin foil, cartons. There should be enough so that each group can test three different items.
- Do not use meat or dairy products
- Three or four clear zip-lock bags per group
- Somewhere to store foods for the duration of the investigation, e.g. window ledge, cardboard box, table.
- ‘Food and Wrapping Investigation Planning Sheet’ worksheet (Investigation 08)
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Learning activities
1. Each group selects 3 different items, each in its own sealed plastic bag. These bags must not be opened at any stage during or after the investigation.
2. Once the items are placed in three different sealed plastic bags, the children should make a number of predictions about the items and record these predictions on the Food and Wrapping Investigation Planning sheet (Investigation 08).
- Which items do you think will decay?
- Which item will take longest to decay?
- Which item will not decay at all in the three weeks?
3. Over the course of the 3/4 weeks the children should observe the changes that are occurring in the items, at least twice a week. Safety note: The children must ONLY view the decaying items through the plastic bag. They should NEVER take the items out of the sealed bags. The children should be encouraged to record their observations on the worksheet. They could do this through drawings or digital photographs at different stages during the investigation.
Worms entangled
Worms entangled
Courtesy of the EPAWorms entangled
Courtesy of the EPA
Courtesy of the EPA
Worms entangled
Worms entangled
Courtesy of the EPA4. When the investigation is finished the children should discuss their results with the whole class.
5. Optional: Make a wormery. Children find worms in the school grounds. They then put soil and leaves into a clean, large sweet jar. Children add the worms. They can then follow a similar process to the investigation above to find out which items rot and or are eaten by the worms. See http://www.dlrcoco.ie/kids/WORMS.HTM
The three bin system
One of the easiest way to bring recycling into your home or work place is to start a bin system. The image shows a three bin system, but there are many varieties depending on the waste you or your surroundings are creating.
Copyright Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local GovernmentThe three bin system
Copyright Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Copyright Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
The three bin system
One of the easiest way to bring recycling into your home or work place is to start a bin system. The image shows a three bin system, but there are many varieties depending on the waste you or your surroundings are creating.
Copyright Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Note
The children should be encouraged to place non-decaying materials used in the experiment, which are recyclable, in a green bin to re-enforce the environmental message.