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Description
Despite progress in recycling, reusing and composting, the vast majority of the world's garbage still ends up in landfills. This STEM activity develops understanding of the environmental implications of this waste disposal method as students:
- Design and construct a model landfill that maximizes garbage capacity and is cost effective
- Test their models for leachate under simulated conditions like heavy rain
- Analyze the effectiveness of their liner materials in minimizing environmental damage
- Compare and discuss designs based on capacity, cost and performance
This real-world design problem provides a learning experience where students are challenged to think like environmental engineers while considering how Earth's future depends on all of us reducing the amount of garbage we throw away.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This resource supports Grade 6-9 Science curriculum exploring geological concepts such as rock type, soil structure and permeability. Students also develop an understanding of how leachate from landfills can contaminate groundwater and impact freshwater systems. The creative design process develops problem solving skills as students analyze data to support modifications which might optimize the perfomance of their landfill models.
This activity provides an excellent introduction to Waste Reduction Week which occurs in October as part of Circular Economy Month. Students could extend their learning into an action project focused on educating peers and the local community on how to reduce their garbage footprint. Several ideas for school based events can be found on the Circular Economy website found here.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Planet Earth
- Grade 8
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environment and Outdoor Education: Environmental Core
- Environment and Outdoor Education: Environmental Investigations
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Chemistry
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Environmental Chemistry (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
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- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Technology: Exploration/Design & Experimentation/Application: Design Thinking Skills
- Grade 7
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7 Earth Surface Processes: Learning and Living Sustainably
- Science 7 Earth Surface Processes: Scientific Literacy
- Technological Education
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- Exploration/Design & Experimentation/Application: Design Thinking Skills
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
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- Grade 7
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Engineering Structures
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Technology Education 7: Fundamentals of Technology Education
- Technology Education 7: Innovations and Inventions
- Grade 8
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- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Technology Education 8: Fundamentals of Technology Education
- Technology Education 8: Innovations and Inventions
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Planet Earth
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions in Our Environment
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
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- Chemistry and the Environment
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Environmental Chemistry (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- STEM Skills and Connections
- Grade 7
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- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- STEM Skills and Connections
- Grade 8
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- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
- STEM Skills and Connections
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth's Crust
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Intermediate Industrial Technology Education: Technological Problem Solving
- Grade 8
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Water Systems on Earth
- Technological Education
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- Intermediate Industrial Technology Education: Technological Problem Solving
- Grade 9
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 9: Procedural Knowledge
- Quebec
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- Grade 6
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- Science & Technology
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- Material World
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
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- The Earth and Space
- The Technological World
- Grade 8
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- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Earth and Space
- The Technological World
- Saskatchewan
Themes Addressed
Human Health & Environment (1)
- Environmental Contaminants & Health Hazards
Science and Technology (1)
- Alternative Ways of Doing Science
Waste Management (2)
- Solid Waste Disposal
- Source Reduction
