Database Provider

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)

Author

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)

Grades

K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

Subject

Art

Resource Type

Project

Regional Focus

Global

At-Home Upcycle Projects from Climate Superstars

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Synopsis

This resource provides instructions for six upcycling projects that will turn discarded items into something useful.
Each project includes step-by-step instructions with pictures.

Teaching Tips

Positives

These six projects are easy to do with elementary and middle school students.
Making bird feeders or shirt coasters would be an excellent introduction to the concept of upcycling.

Additional Prerequisites

Each project requires different materials.
Younger students will need assistance with some of the projects.

Differentiation

After creating a project together, students could find something in their home or school that is frequently thrown away and find a way to upcycle it as a project.
Students could hold an "Upcycled Fair" to display their creations. Students could provide written directions for visitors to take home to complete their own upcycle project.
Other resources on this topic include this ClimateScience course on personal actions that fight climate change, this video on recycling challenges, and this video on an e-waste recycling business.

Scientist Notes

Materials like pins, wire cutters, scissors, and adhesives used in these activities can cause injury to students if not properly monitored by an adult. The resource is recommended for teaching.

Standards

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.

Visual & Performing Arts

Visual Arts: Standard 2 - Organizing and developing ideas.
- 1.5.2.Cr2a: Through experimentation, build skills and knowledge of materials and tools through various approaches to art making.
- 1.5.2.Cr2c: Create art that represents natural and constructed environments. Identify and classify uses of everyday objects through drawings, diagrams, sculptures or other visual means including repurposing objects to make something new.

Computer Science & Design Thinking

Design Thinking
- 8.2.2.ETW.4: Explain how the disposal of or reusing a product affects the local and global environment.
- 8.2.8.NT.4: Explain how a product designed for a specific demand was modified to meet a new demand and led to a new product.
- 8.2.8.ETW.1: Illustrate how a product is upcycled into a new product and analyze the short- and long-term benefits and costs.

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