Students will understand the role of rivers in determining the boundaries of the Lake Superior watershed. They learn what makes up our garbage. They also learn that many of the items we discard can be reused or made into new products. They also discuss the option of reducing packaging to decrease the amount of garbage generated. Students find out what new products can be made from recycled materials and where materials can be recycled locally and elsewhere.
Students discuss the differences between a dump and a sanitary landfill, and design a safe landfill.
Finally students compare commercial cleaners to environmentally friendly alternatives. Recycling can decrease the need to exploit natural resources and can decrease the pollution caused by the extraction of natural resources. Students discuss how we use water and how much water we use for various activities. Students role play water molecules moving through the water cycle. Through the use of a ground water flow model, students visualize how ground water moves, how it can be connected to surface water sources and how people retrieve ground water for use.