Tote Challenge

Unit of 1 Lesson
Grade Levels: 
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Subjects: 
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Issue Area: 
Environment
Focus Question 

What problems do plastic shopping bags cause to the environment? What can people do to make a difference?

Photo Credit: Best of EP Guest Photographer April: "Flying rainbow" - Victor Andronache by European Parliament is licensed under CC by 4.0 

 
Unit Overview 

The learners work in teams to engineer a reusable bag from an old T-shirt. This follows an investigation of the problems caused by plastic shopping bags. They may brainstorm uses for plastic bags using engineering, problem-solving, creativity, and communication. 

Service Experience 
Teams design a reusable shopping bag out of an old T-shirt. They take action by using and sharing their homemade bags and by educating the community about problems and solutions to the plastic bag crisis. 
Lessons in This Unit 
Unit: 
Tote Challenge
Lesson 1 of 1
Grades: 
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Young people investigate the problems caused by plastic shopping bags, then propose solutions to address the problems. This lesson prompts teams to design a reusable shopping tote out of an old T-shirt using engineering, problem-solving, creativity, and communication. They take action for the common good by using and sharing their project and by educating the community about problems and solutions to the plastic bag crisis.