Performance Task Bioplastics Instruction:
You are about to begin an activity that is designed to measure your skills in critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving and
written communications. In addition to the “think-like-a-scientist” skills, your content knowledge about bio-renewable resources will also be
assessed.
You will be preparing a written response to a hypothetical, but realistic situation. This activity contains a series of documents
that includes a range of information sources. While your personal values and experiences are important, you should base your response
on the evidence provided in these documents.
The Scenario:
You will take the role of an employee for a food packaging company. Your company has recently decided to jump
on the ‘going green’ bandwagon. To do this, the environmental committee has written a proposal that recommends that all
of the food packaging be switched to bioplastics (biopolymers). The committee contends that switching to biopolymers is an
effective and plausible alternative to traditional plastics and will improve profit by tapping into the environmentally friendly
consumer market. They also contend that switching to bioplastics benefit the environment by reducing non-biodegradable
plastic waste, reduce greenhouse emissions, and the production, use, and disposal of bioplastics is more sustainable than that
of traditional plastics.
The ‘tree hugger’ CEO of your company sees you as an up-and-comer within its ranks and has decided to allow you
to make the final decision regarding the switch of packaging. Making the right decision could lead you on a path of
promotion. Making a wrong decision could leave you out of favor with the CEO, making the possibility of promotion further
down the road (if ever). Much of how ‘right’ your decision is, will be based on how well you support it with evidence.
Your job is to review the material in the packet and decide if your company should switch the food packaging to
bioplastics. You will then write an official recommendation to the CEO and board members detailing the evidence you used
to make your decision. It is important to remember that when making your decision both profit and the environment should
be considered. How much you take each into consideration is up to you.
Questions:
1) Claim: Bioplastics are an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum
based plastics for food packaging.
a. Are bioplastics an effective and safe alternative for food packaging?
b. Will switching to bioplastics increase profit?
c. Will switching to bioplastics be environmentally beneficial and sustainable?
d. How does the production, use, and end-life of bioplastics compare to petroleumbased plastics?
PERFORMANCE TASK DOCUMENT A FOOD PACKAGING PERFORMANCE TASK DOCUMENT B FOOD PACKAGING PERFORMANCE TASK DOCUMENT C FOOD PACKAGING PERFORMANCE TASK DOCUMENT D FOOD PACKAGING PERFORMANCE TASK DOCUMENT E FOOD PACKAGING PERFORMANCE TASK DOCUMENT F FOOD PACKAGING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
OVERALL RANKING
PERFORMANCE TASK DOCUMENT G FOOD PACKAGING PERFORMANCE TASK DOCUMENT H FOOD PACKAGING PERFORMANCE TASK DOCUMENT I FOOD PACKAGING Teaching Notes for: Bioplastics Performance Task Joshua Mangler | Dallas Center-­‐Grimes High School Intended Audience Check all that apply… National, State, Local Standards Addressed by this task Implementation Considerations and Pre-­Required Knowledge Time Required Check all that apply… ☐ 9th grade ☐ general audience ☐ general science ☐ biology x 10th grade x advanced audience ☐ earth science ☐ chemistry x 11th grade ☐ physics/phys sci ☐ biotechnology x 12th grade x environmental science Iowa Science Standards: Inquiry Standards: •
Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence. •
Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations. •
Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions. •
Communicate and defend scientific procedures and explanations. Earth and Space Standards: •
Understand and apply knowledge of biogeochemical cycles. Physical Science Standards: •
Understand and apply knowledge of the structure and properties of matter. Social Studies: •
Understand current social issues to determine hot the individual is able to formulate opinions and respond to those issues. •
This performance task would fit well into the Energy Resources and Consumption unit as outlined by the AP College Board. In other advanced environmental science courses it would fit will into any renewable vs. nonrenewable resources unit. •
The students should be familiar with renewable and nonrenewable resources. They should also be familiar petroleum based plastics and bio based plastics as well as how each is made. Other useful background information (but not required) sustainability and “sustainable design”, life cycle analysis, and familiarity with scientific journal abstracts. • The task will encourage students to think critically about an often misconceived topic, understand the complexity of switching from nonrenewable resources to renewable resources, and formulate opinions related to how, why, and to what extent humans impact the environment. 90 – 120 minutes. 1)
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Teaching Methods & Classroom Procedures 6)
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Example of a Model product Lesson Extension Activities Read through the instructions, scenario, role, and ALL documents. Choose 4-­‐9 of the documents to use for your performance task. Due to the length of some documents, it is not recommended that all 9 be used. Split up students into groups of 3. Distribute Instructions, Scenario, and read through as a class. Distribute analysis guide and document 1. Go through document 1 and analysis guide in groups and then as a class. Distribute remaining documents and allow students approximately 10-­‐15 minutes per document. Using analysis guide and documents, allow student approximately 15-­‐20 minutes to write their recommendation. •
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There is an extensive amount of information available online related to biopolymers, eco-­‐
packaging, and other bio-­‐based alternatives. Additional activities including online research and source evaluation would offer enrichment. Many bioplastics can be made easily in a lab equipped with basic glassware and chemicals. http://library.thinkquest.org/10aug-­‐oracle-­‐62/659780467/page_690007323.html http://www.rsc.org/education/teachers/Resources/inspirational/resources/3.1.7.pdf Related Background Information and Other Resources Agri-­‐food trade services http://www.ats.agr.gc.ca/inter/5757-­‐eng.htm ICIShttp://www.icis.com/Articles/2011/11/21/9509806/brand-­‐owners-­‐rally-­‐on-­‐bioplastic-­‐use.html Frito-­‐Lay packaging information http://www.fritolay.com/our-­‐planet/packaging-­‐questions.html. Company that makes bioplastics http://www.cereplast.com/ Bioplastics magazine http://www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/index.php European bioplastics http://en.european-­‐bioplastics.org/ Discovery news http://news.discovery.com/earth/bioplastic-­‐plant-­‐plastic-­‐environment.html Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioplastic