Title: _Upcycling_STEAM Lesson Brief
Educators on the team: Emily King
Trained_2014-2015___Knob Noster High School, Knob Noster, MO
Students use knowledge from across the disciplines to strengthen their understanding of each subject’s
content and its related careers through topic or theme oriented realistic problem-based activity-rich
lessons.
Theme that this lesson would tie to: Sustainability
Specific Topic Concept within that theme: Upcycling
Thank you for your work! I have included some minor suggestions, particularly in the area of careers.
Overall, you did an excellent job and I appreciate your revisions. As my suggestions do not require
further review, this lesson is now approved for your certification. Well done! - MS
*Filling out the black items makes this a basic plan, filling out the grey makes it a possible publishable
STEAM plan.
PROJECT IDEA + brief notes & supplies
BASIC CONCEPTS
Essential Concept: The students will
research, conduct interviews and learn
about Upcycling through gathering data
about pallets in science and technology,
imagining a furniture design that benefits
health and questioning each other’s ideas
with art. They will investigate increasing
productivity with music and reaching a
conclusion on building a final product
through engineering.
Basic Plan:
Students will be engaged in the project by
examining different products that have
been upcycled and predicting what the
items were created from. Students will
develop questions about conservation and
recycling and then conduct research and
interviews to answer the questions
correctly. The students will learn the
history of pallets and the needs and
benefits of upcycling them. Then they will
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Science –
 Concepts–identify changes in ecosystems and
interactions of organisms with their environments
 read expository text, summarize, engage in
extensive discussion
 Goal / Objectives –The students will learn the
importance of upcycling. They will gain knowledge
about the destruction of trees for wood, the waste
going into the landfills by discarding pallets and
the impact on the environment as a result.
 Standards–Interactions among organisms and their
environment (SC4D), Changes in the Earth’s
Surface (SC5 3Ab)
 Careers–environmentalist, horticulturalist,
arborist, agriculturalist, botanist, ecologist,
 Project –students will learn about the need to
upcycle pallets due to the need of our planet to
reduce our waste and need for deforestation
through informational text. Students will
individually create an information graphic to
explain deforestation and articulate the need to
upcycle, and recycle. Explore websites to add to
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
examine different styles of furniture built
with pallets to generate ideas of their own
design. The students will design, on paper,
furniture for sitting on that allows for
proper spine alignment, and then they will
build a prototype of their design out of
popsicle sticks. Students will examine their
own work habits to identify musical genres
and characteristics that increase their
productivity. The final piece of the project
is the prototype which will be built by the
teacher and be brought into the classroom
for the students’ use.
Skill level (Grade Range):fourth grade
Timing of Lesson:two-three weeks (class
periods are 30 minute sessions per day)
Basic Supplies: internet access (for
information, and music component),
popsicle sticks, wood glue, hot glue,
sketching paper, pallets and tools
necessary to construct design.
All Subjects: science, language arts
Individual Subjects: science and math
Science – Research notes, computer
Math- Measurement, proportion
IT Resources: websites: Pinterest for pallet
furniture examples,
http://recycling.about.com/od/Pallet_Rec
ycling_Glossary/a/What-Is-A-Pallet.htm
(What is a Pallet?),
http://www.1001pallets.com/pallet-size/
(Pallet Size),
Pandora for music.
Creative Ways to Recycle Wooden Pallets
http://www.designrulz.com/productdesign/2012/09/35-creative-ways-torecycle-wooden-pallets/
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student knowledge:
http://unitload.vt.edu/facilities/william-sardopallet-lab/
http://blog.nelsoncompany.com/bloghome/where-does-wood-pallet-lumber-reallycome-from-the-answer-may-surprise-you
Assessment–formative assessment based on
discussion between groups in which students
articulate and examine the need to upcycle.
Information graphic contains accurate information
and articulates need in regards to deforestation.
Extension–students begin formulating a plan on
how to upcycle pallets.
Technology & Engineering –
 Concepts –Students will learn that upcycling is
reusing discarded objects to create a product of
higher quality or value than the original using
internet sources.
 Goal / Objectives - The students will learn the
specific characteristics of pallet design. They will
learn the specific uses of them in industry which
will lend itself to their durable construction and
the difficulty of dismantling them for other uses.
 Standards - Follow an inquiry process to construct
new understandings, draw conclusions, and create
new knowledge (T1A4)
 Careers - industrial design, wood turner, engineer,
carpenter
 Project - The students will find information on
what pallets are currently used for, their basic
construction and necessary requirements to
dismantle them. Then students will begin to
formulate a plan of the design prototype based on
a more developed understanding of the material
they will be working with. Students will utilize
popsicle sticks to simulate pallets when they build
their scale model prototype.
 Assessment–Students create a design plan
upcycling a pallet and identify the need of having
initiative to create a new usable product design
and scale model.
 Extension - Students will discuss how different
styles of pallets may inhibit their design.
Math –
 Concepts –Measure and use proportion to create a
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
Reclaimed Wood
http://lifehacker.com/5977585/find-freeshipping-pallets-and-reclaimed-wood-foryour-diy-projects
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Using Pallets
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2011/
04/all-you-ever-wanted-to-knowabout.html
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Other Resources:
Parent or worker who uses pallets
regularly will be a resource
(ie: local Lowes or Menards employees)
Misc:
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LA –
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scale model.
Goal / Objectives –Students will recognize that the
prototype is a very small representation of the
overall ending project. Measurements of space
such as doorways and actual student size is
relevant to the project.
Standards - Know relative sizes of measurement
units (4.MD.A.1)
Careers - industrial design, wood turner, engineer,
environmentalist, carpenter, entrepreneur
mathematical technician, data analyst
Project –the student will draw a sketch of their
pallet project design. Then the students will work
in teams to build a scaled prototype out of
popsicle sticks.
Assessment–Prototype that is a scale model of
student upcycle design that reflects accurate scale
measurements.
Extension - Students will be working in teams and
will be required to use all team members’ ideas
and input to complete the project.
Concepts –read expository text, summarize, and
carry on discussions
Goal / Objectives –the students will read to find
information pertaining to pallets, what they are,
what they are used for and how they are being
upcycled today.
Standards–read and comprehend complex literary
and informational texts independently and
proficiently(R.CCR.10)
Speaking and Listening standard-Recount or
describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud
or information presented orally or through other
media(SL.2.2)
Speaking and Listening standard -Ask and answer
questions about what a speaker says in order to
clarify comprehension, gather additional
information, or deepen understanding of a topic or
issue. (SL.2.3)
Careers–Technical Writer, Journalist, Human
Resource personnel
Project – Students will write questions about
conservation and recycling. Students will then
research and conduct interviews to answer the
questions using close reading strategies, note-
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
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SS –
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taking and asking clarifying questions.
Assessment–formative assessment based on
discussion between groups on the understanding
of the need to upcycle through observation of
conversation between cooperative learning groups
and exit tickets. Students will also be assessed on
their ability to create questions, conduct
interviews and research to gather and process
information to answer the questions with
adequate supporting information.
Extension - Begin formulating a plan on how
students can upcycle pallets.
Concepts –Students will explain why industry so
heavily relies on the use of pallets and the impact
of their economic design for transporting product
more efficiently.
Goal / Objectives –the students will gain a better
understanding of the industrial uses of pallets and
the importance in distribution of products
throughout the country as well as the
environmental impact of using pallets made of
wood.
Standards–Understanding the consequences of
personal and public and economic decisions (SS4
3.8)
Careers- environmentalist, entrepreneur,
economist, historian
Project - - the student will read about the
industrial uses of pallets in relation to shipping
product and articulate why industry relies on them
so heavily. Students will discuss how they might
have been shipped in the past before the use of
pallets. Review information from pallet history
article and other websites to use to create a video
about the history of the pallet and how they
support economics and include how and why the
class upcycled pallets.
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/transport
/2012/08/pallets_the_single_most_important_obj
ect_in_the_global_economy_.single.html
http://bada.hb.se/bitstream/2320/6000/1/Lohras
ebi,%20Mokhlesi.pdf
http://www.event.sypal.eu/wordpress/wpcontent/uploads/2013/10/INTERPALVIII_USA1.pdf
http://www.mmh.com/article/pallet_survey_how
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
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_pallet_trends_stack_up
http://www.litco.com/news/pallets-2/2013-palletusage-and-trending-survey.htm
Assessment - formative assessment based on
discussion between groups on the understanding
of the uses of pallets for shipping purposes and the
demand for continual production of pallets to keep
up with shipping demands. Students will be
assessed on their video which explains the history
of the pallet and how they support economics and
include how and why the class upcycled pallets.
Extension -Work as teams to discuss alternatives
to using pallets for shipping and present to group.
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Concepts- Students will design a piece of furniture
made from pallets for use in the classroom.
Goal/Objectives: The students will create a design
of furniture that can be taken from concept to
reality and functionality.
Standards- HC1B4 – Compare and contrast two
artworks on: subject matter, media, use value and
space, theme, purpose of art in culture
Careers - industrial design, wood turner, sculptor,
artist recycler (artists who use recycled products
as their medium)
Project- Students will view other artistic work
created from recycled or upcycled products and
make suggestions for how they could turn other
products into art.
http://mentalfloss.com/article/13046/11-artistsdoing-amazing-things-recycled-materials
The students will examine different furniture
designs made from pallets – some on Pinterest.
They will use this foundation to expand their
creativity. The students will sketch and then build
a prototype of furniture. Students will design a
functional piece of furniture which considers
symmetry and design to develop an attractive
piece that would appeal to consumers.
Assessment–The prototype that the students build
will be checked for functionality and desirability
and discussed by the group as a whole.
Extension–the students will be required to work as
teams to create a final design.
Concepts –Proper alignment of spine in creating
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
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comfortable and safe furniture. The students will
research and identify proper sitting posture.
Goal / Objectives –the students will understand
that their furniture design must be comfortable
and support the spine properly
Standards–Prevention (HPE4)– Identify and
describe basic causes, symptoms, treatments and
management of common communicable diseases
and health problems.
Careers– carpenter, chiropractor, physical
therapist
Project –the students will design a piece of
furniture that will be comfortable to sit on.
Students will research spine alignment and
ergonomics and design features that are
incorporated into furniture to ensure the spine is
in proper alignment when people are sitting.
Assessment–The students will build prototypes
and as a whole choose which design is the most
comfortable and ergonomic to sit on. Students
will explain comfort in relation to the proper
sitting posture and alignment of the spine.
Extension – students will be challenged to add any
additional parts to make piece more functional
(arm rests, foot rests, etc.)
Music –
 Concepts – the students will work to music to be
more productive in a timely manner. The students
will describe how music affects their production.
 Goal / Objectives –The students will be given
music from different genres to determine which
beat helps them to produce more effectively.
 Standards–Genres and Styles (MU9) – identify
characteristics of teacher selected genres or styles
*Work songs, cowboy songs, square dances,
*spirituals, *blues
 Careers–DJ, Music Director, A & R Coordinator
 Project –Students will listen to different genres
and styles of music while working on prototype.
Students will create a class list describing how the
music impacted the group as a whole and how
much work was accomplished while each style of
music was being played. They will identify
Identifying the characteristics of the genre that
enhanced work motivation and productivity.
Students will reflect on themselves individually
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STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
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and how productive they were during while each
type of music was playing.
Assessment–Students will determine which style
of music creates more productivity for them
personally and explain orally and in writing why
that genre was most effective for them.
Extension– The students will be asked to briefly
analyze which beat was the most productive.
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief