Skip to main content

STEMify Your Classroom Supply List

STEMify Your Classroom Supply List
Contributors
Safer Chemist Lead | Washington State Department Of Ecology
North Central Educational Service District
Provides information on how to assess the hazards of cleaning products using the labels.
Summary
In this lesson, students will develop an evidence-based argument after investigating the product safety, performance, and cost of a variety of cleaning and disinfecting products designed to remove germs. Students will be introduced to principles of sustainable design, life-cycle thinking, and how to identify safer products for certifications.

Except where otherwise noted, this work by Saskia van Bergen (Washington Department of Ecology), Vickei Hrdina (ESD 112), and Carissa Haug (NCESD) is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0. All logos and trademarks are property of their respective owners.

This Lesson is also available in Spanish.

Share This

Moderation state
Published
Object Type
Activities/Technology (e.g., in-class activities, online games, hands-on activities/manipulatives, outreach, virtual tools, etc.)
Audience
Elementary School
Published on
Green Chemistry Principles
Designing Safer Chemicals
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Responsible Consumption and Production
NGSS Standards, if applicable
This lesson addresses the following Next Generation Science Standard Performance Expectation.
3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

In Particular- ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution
Different solutions need to be tested in order to determine which of them best solves the problem, given the criteria and the constraints.
Learning Goals/Student Objectives
- Germs are bacteria. Bacteria are present everywhere and in/on all living things.
- Products can be used for different purposes; cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting.
- Choices in cleaning products come with benefits and tradeoffs. We can design investigations to help us make better decisions.
- Scientists use evidence to make claims.
Common pedagogies covered
Hands-on learning
Problem-based learning

Submitted by

Safety Precautions, Hazards, and Risk Assessment
Proper handling and disposal of bacteria cultures.
Creative Commons License

Comments

Barb Morra
Mon, 07/29/2024 - 22:56 Permalink

Wonderful work Saskia and Carissa! I love how students explore their own classrooms and the products already found in them. I imagine many kids would continue the conversation at home too. Absolutely love the letter of recommendation for future product choices written to the principle/management at the end! Nice work.