WALT: Use reference books/tools

The Problem with Plastic  


WALT use reference books/tools. WALT  use appropriate skills and technologies to find and use a range of texts for specific purposes   (assessment task)

Possible resources:
Plastic Fantastic SJ 2007:3:3
Accidental Plastics Connected SJ Level 4 2013
You may be able to find others to help you complete your research.


You can present your learning on a google doc (this one) or a presentation. PLEASE link your presentation onto this document.  


What do you need to research?
The big question: WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH PLASTIC?


You should find information about these questions?


What is plastic?
Plastic is a material that is made from petrochemicals.


     2. Why is it a problem for the environment?
Plastic is a problem for the environment because it is ruining our seas, oceans, beaches, forests, cities and wildlife and if wildlife from the sea or land die we won’t have as much food. Also plastic is put into the landfill but there is too much plastic and it takes a very long time to break down so it is taking up more and more space.


     3. What facts can you find about the amount of plastic we use, how it is made, how it breaks down?
We use a lot of plastic every day e.g  chip packets, plastic bottles.
An average American person throws out about 84 kgs of plastic per year.
It takes about 450 years to break down.
Plastic is mostly made from petrochemicals.
Plastic can be made into any shape.


   4.What can you do to help?
Buy bulk packs instead of small chip packets, use containers, use reusable bags instead of plastic bags and use drink bottles instead of plastic bottles. Try to reduce rubbish.
   5.  Create a glossary of at least 5 technical words used in your research.
  • microbead   A small particle of plastic, usually between 0.05 millimeters and 5 millimeters in size (or one hundredth of an inch to about two tenths of an inch). These particles can be found in exfoliating face wash, but can also take the form of fibers shed from clothing.
  • plastiglomerate   A name some scientists have proposed for a category of rock created when plastic melts and fuses with chunks of stone, shell or other materials to create a long-lasting record of human pollution.
  • polyethylene  A plastic made from chemicals that have been refined (produced from) crude oil and/or natural gas. The most common plastic in the world, it is flexible and tough. It also can resist radiation.
  • zooplankton   Small organisms that drift in the sea. Zooplankton are tiny animals that eat other plankton. They also serve as an important food source for other marine creatures.
  • pollutant   A substance that taints something — such as the air, water, our bodies or products. Some pollutants are chemicals, such as pesticides. Others may be radiation, including excess heat or light. Even weeds and other invasive species can be considered a type of biological pollution.
  • oceanography  The branch of science that deals with the physical and biological properties and phenomena of the oceans. People who work in this field are known as oceanographers.


7. Create a bibliography of resources you have used to present your answers to this question.


Tiny Plastic, Big Problem-Tiny Plastic, Big Problem
The Problem with Plastic www-The Problem with Plastic www

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