The following educational programs are free to all public and private schools in Saint Louis County. Unless noted otherwise, presentations are 45 minutes in length.
Early Childhood and Grades K-2
RECYCLING IS #1 - Through a puppet show a little milk jug learns that whether you are a #1 or #2 plastic, you are always a valuable resource if recycled. A teacher volunteer is requested for this program to assist in the show.
Grades 1-3
DECOMPOSER DETECTIVES Learn about decomposers- the stars of the recycling world. Students explore live active compost samples, identifying and observing the critters that make compost.
RECYCLING 101 Recycling basics that teaches students recycling is part of everyday life. Students act out the stages of the paper cycle and do a hands-on activity choosing what to do with items pulled from a trash bag
TRASHBAG RELAY Takes Recycling 101 to the next level with emphasis on Reduce and Reuse. Students sort and classify common household items into recycling, reusing, composting and trash categories as part of a relay race.
Grades 4-8
THINK RESOURCE – NOT TRASH! Using a Resource Tree students learn the how and why of recycling and the difference between products and packages, and the resources used to make both. Their new knowledge is tested in a rousing game of Recycling Bingo!
WHAT’S IN YOUR TRASH BAG? Prior to the presentation, students spend a full school day carrying around their own trash bags and depositing everything normally thrown away at school. RSP sends a pre-lesson outline, re-sealable bags for lunch waste and an optional trash weighing exercise. RSP visit is for 60 minutes and requires a large area for sorting and analysis of the waste stream.
WORLD OF WORMS - A live-worm composting bin comes to the classroom as students explore worms as decomposers, what they need to live, and how they reproduce.
WHERE IS “AWAY”? - Where does the trash go? How do landfills work and how are they different from “the dump”? Students explore these questions as they brainstorm how to reduce what is sent to the landfill. Optional pre-lesson activity explores results of the 1999 Missouri Waste Composition Study.
Grades 9-12
MODEL LANDFILL DEMONSTRATION - Let us bring the “mountain” to you – a model landfill complete with impermeable liner, groundwater, daily cover and more!
ECONOMICS OF RECYCLING - Through role-playing, participants will put into practice the economic concepts of supply and demand, scarcity, trade-offs, opportunity costs and externalities.
HAZARDOUS OR SAFE? HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS PRODUCT ALTERNATIVES - Introduction to hazardous products commonly used at home, including legal definitions of hazardous substances and a label reading exercise. Students test household cleaning products and compare those defined as hazardous to safer, homemade alternatives.
3R Loan Kits
All you need in a convenient kit to bring a hands-on lesson to your classroom. Complete as a stand-alone activity or use as pre- or post-lesson following a RSP visit. Kits are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Making Recycled Paper
Demonstration of a mini-paper processing plant. Kit includes blenders, screens, sponges and step-by-step instructions to make paper using the tin can method. Includes a video of the actual paper making process used by the Paper Retriever Program.
Trash Math
Small groups of 3-4 students examine the contents of a miniature trash can, then graph and interpret their data results. Note: The same activity can be done using actual trash generated by the school. (Grades 5-8)
Household Hazardous Waste
Kit includes a teacher guide, overheads, a hands-on activity to compare natural cleaners to commercial toxic brands, a colorful poster, and brochures. (Grades 6-12)
Assemblies
Assemblies are a great way to kick-off a special contest, rally the school to support your recycling programs, or celebrate America Recycles Day (November 15) and Earth Day (April 22). RSP will do a special presentation and can provide props and scripts to get the students involved. Skits and/or fashion shows featuring recycled content clothing are always a hit!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Once you have a date in mind for when you need materials or would like to schedule a presentation contact:
Mary Patterson
Saint Louis County Health Department
4562 Lemay Ferry
St. Louis, MO 63129
314-615-6878 (phone)
314-615-4008 (fax)
MPatterson2@stlouisco.com
www.resourcefulschools.org
Please allow at least two weeks notice for your programs.
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