By examining the "life story" of potato chips, students become familiar with the stages of a product life cycle. To deepen their learning, students design and manufacture a poster with the goal of reducing waste and pollution at each stage of production.
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Students uncover the environmental impacts of conventional cotton farming by simulating pesticide accumulation, and by tracking the materials, energy, and labor inputs needed to make an ordinary t-shirt. Students compare this to the life cycle of an organic cotton t-shirt and then experiment with non-toxic fabric paint made from soil.
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Students compare the physical and chemical properties of petroleum- and plant-based plastics, and assess implications for disposal. A worm-bin is used to demonstrate classroom decomposition of cornstarch-based packing peanuts vs. styrofoam peanuts that cannot be decomposed.
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By heating common substances, students explore physical and chemical transformations of matter. Observing that matter cannot be destroyed, and that recycling requires energy inputs, students learn how the laws of thermodynamics apply to economics.
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Students examine the hidden environmental and social costs of producing clothing, chocolate, and other products, comparing free trade manufacturing practices with fair trade alternatives that emphasize social, environmental, and economic well being.
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Students apply their knowledge of material science and product life cycles to design clothing, furniture, or packaging. Students are given a list of input materials to choose from along with infromation on how the material was produced. After evaluating and selecting materials, students design a high quality and marketable product with few negative impacts on the environment and society.
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Please contact Dr. Peggy Liggit with questions and concerns about this site.
Page last updated Aug. 30, 2007
© 2007 Eastern Michigan University Biology Department