THINK GREEN, ACT SMART
Eco-School Litter Project: “Know Your Rubbish!”
Project dates: 15 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026
1. What is this project?
In teams, you’ll become curious rubbish detectives—spotting litter in your local area, collecting
it safely, and recording what you find. Then you’ll go further: uncover the Chemistry and Biology
behind it, explain its impact on living things and ecosystems, and share your evidence through a
high-quality educational poster that helps others see litter differently.
2. Aims
1. Understand litter scientifically: classify items and explain how their structure/bonding
affects properties, decomposition, and impacts on ecosystems and human health.
2. Collect good evidence: safely collect and record litter data (type, location, estimated
degradation time, eco-score) and use 1–2 simple tests/observations to support your science
explanation.
3. Take action and communicate: create an educational poster + a creative rubbish
display/model, and reflect on the HPL skills you used to help your community.
3. What you must produce (Products)
Each group submits all three items below:
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Poster (1 poster per group): educational, science-based, easy to understand.
Rubbish product/display: cleaned litter, a model, or a creative build using collected rubbish
(safe and hygienic).
Evidence of action: photos or a short video/vlog that clearly shows your group collecting
litter and recording data.
Safety and hygiene rules (must follow):
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Wear gloves; wash hands after.
Do not touch sharp objects, needles, medical waste, unknown chemicals, or broken glass.
Take a photo from a safe distance and inform an adult.
Do not open batteries/e-waste. Keep them sealed and handled by adults.
Clean and dry items before bringing them to school. No food waste.
4. What success looks like
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Your science is accurate and clearly explained (Chemistry + Biology).
You use evidence (data + observations/tests) to support your claims, not just opinions.
Your poster is well-designed: clear layout, readable text, good diagrams/photos, correct
scientific vocabulary.
Your project shows real community action and strong HPL reflection (Concern for Society is
required).
Your rubbish display/model is safe, clean, and creatively supports your message.
How your work will be evaluated (overview):
Area
What we look for
Examples
Science understanding
Correct classification +
explanations using Chemistry
& Biology ideas
Bonding -> property ->
impact; food chain impact;
decomposition
Evidence quality
Accurate data + (optional) 1–
2 simple checks + clear
photos/video proof
Magnet test; pH indicator;
corrosion comparison
Communication & action
Poster teaches others + clear
call to action + HPL reflection
Recycling guidance;
awareness message; roles &
teamwork
5. Poster content requirements
Your poster must include these 4 parts (use clear headings):
A.Eco-School: Rubbish problem in Ha Noi
Here’s a suggestion: you can discuss different topics if you’d like
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Why litter is a serious problem in Ha Noi (choose 2–3 clear points).
Your litter classification results (a small table or chart).
Environmental effects + safety when collecting.
How to recycle (sorting guidance) + what Grade 8 students can do.
B. HPL Reflection (mandatory)
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Concern for Society (required): what did you do that helped others? What impact did it
have?
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Choose 1–2 extra HPL skills and focus on sub-skills (example: Strategy Planning in Metathinking, Collaborative in Empathy).
• Give real evidence: roles you used, decisions you made, how you improved your plan after a
trial.
C.Knowledge connection
C.1 Chemistry: show the chemistry behind litter
Here’s a suggestion: you can discuss different topics if you’d like
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Materials & Bonding lens: classify each chosen item as element/compound/mixture (state
mixture type: alloy/composite/laminate).
Identify likely bonding/structure (metallic, ionic, covalent/polymer, giant covalent).
Explain one key property using bonding/structure, then link to environmental impact +
recycling stream.
Choose at least ONE extra Chemistry lens: pH (acids/alkalis), corrosion (redox), or
solubility/runoff (salts & water pollution). Include a small evidence box.
C.2 Biology: link litter to living organisms
Here’s a suggestion: you can discuss different topics if you’d like
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Ecosystems impacts: organisms affected (plants, animals, aquatic organisms,
microorganisms) and how (entanglement, ingestion, microplastics, toxicity).
Microorganisms & decomposition: how microbes break down organic waste; how pH affects
microbial activity and decomposition rate.
Health & toxicity: a pathway from litter -> organisms -> human health (bioaccumulation /
biomagnification where relevant).
Evidence box (recommended on the poster):
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A small data table: item type, location, estimated degradation time, eco-score (your own
rating system).
1–2 quick checks/observations: magnet test, conductivity, flexibility/hardness, visible layers,
pH indicator, rust comparison.
A clear conclusion sentence: “Therefore, this litter type is risky because…”
Citations/credits:
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If you use facts, images, icons, or figures that are not your own, add a small ‘Sources’ box at
the bottom of the poster (book/article/site name).
6. Timeline and deadlines
Follow the schedule below (dates are in December 2025):
Stage
Dates
What you do
Project introduction +
planning submission
15–19 Dec 2025
Understand requirements;
choose roles; decide poster
layout; decide where to
collect; submit your plan.
Action week: clean-up + data
collection
19–28 Dec 2025
Collect and classify litter;
record data; do 1–2 simple
checks; take photos/videos;
build rubbish display/model;
complete poster.
Submission + shortlist
By 28 Dec 2025 (end of day)
Submit poster + evidence +
rubbish display/model (clean
and safe). Top 10 groups will
be selected.
Showcase (final competition)
6 Jan 2026
Top 10 groups present;
Grade 8 votes + teacher
evaluation.
7. Showcase: Competition style
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Your poster and rubbish display/model will be exhibited.
Top 10 groups will enter the final round (2 representatives from each class).
Grade 8 students will vote during the showcase.
Be ready to explain your science clearly and show the evidence of your clean-up action.
8. Final round instructions (Top 10 groups)
8.1 For shortlisted groups:
If your group is shortlisted, you will present for 5 minutes. Bring your poster and rubbish
display/model.
Scoring:
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Student vote: 50% of total mark
Teacher mark (presentation): 50% of total mark
Your 5-minute presentation structure (recommended):
4. 0:00–0:45 Hook: show your most surprising litter item and the Ha Noi problem (1 key fact).
5. 0:45–2:15 Chemistry: classification + bonding/structure -> property -> environmental impact
+ recycling.
6. 2:15–3:30 Biology: ecosystem/food chain effects OR decomposition OR health pathway
(choose your strongest).
7. 3:30–4:30 Evidence and action: your data highlights + photos/video proof + what you
actually did.
8. 4:30–5:00 HPL reflection + call to action: Concern for Society + one more HPL sub-skill; finish
with a clear message.
What the teacher will look for (presentation). Detailed grade rubric will be sent to shortlisted
teams.
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Clarity: easy to follow, correct vocabulary, strong organisation.
Science accuracy: correct Chemistry + Biology explanations.
Evidence: shows data and proof of action, not just talking.
Teamwork: both representatives speak and share roles.
Impact: realistic actions for Grade 8, persuasive message.
What helps you win student votes:
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A clear hook and a strong visual (your display/model).
Simple explanations that still sound ‘scientific’.
A memorable call to action that others can copy (e.g., 1 habit change, 1 school campaign
idea).
8.2 For other groups
Your products and poster will be displayed in the showcase for students’s. The one
with the highest vote will also have a gift
9.Submission checklist (before 26 Dec 2025):
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Poster (final version)
Rubbish display/model (clean, safe, labelled)
Evidence: 3–8 photos OR 1 short video/vlog (30–90 seconds)
Data table completed (type, location, degradation time estimate, eco-score)
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!