Students act as mining engineers and simulate ore mining production by using chocolate chip cookies. They focus on the cost-benefit analysis of the chocolate ore production throughout the simulation, which helps them understand the cost of production. As students “mine” with tools such as paperclips and toothpicks, they keep records of their costs—land (cookie), equipment used, cookie size before and after production, and time spent. While the goal is to make as much profit as possible, other costs and goals are taken into consideration—as in real-world mining engineering. For example, mining engineers also consider the resulting amount of destruction to the lithosphere when deciding the best method to obtain ore. Thus, a line item for land reclamation cost is included from the beginning. A provided worksheet serves as a profit and loss statement.

How does infrastructure meet our needs? What happens when we are cut off from that supporting infrastructure? As a class, students brainstorm, identify and explore the pathways where their food, water and energy originate, and where wastewater and solid waste go. After creating a diagram that maps a neighborhood's inputs and waste outputs, closed and open system concepts are introduced by imagining the neighborhood enclosed in a giant dome, cut off from its infrastructure systems. Students consider the implications and the importance of sustainable resource and waste management. They learn that resources are interdependent and that recycling wastes into resources is key to sustain a closed system.

Student teams find solutions to hypothetical challenge scenarios that require them to sustainably manage both resources and wastes. They begin by creating a card representing themselves and the resources (inputs) they need and wastes (outputs) they produce. Then they incorporate additional cards for food and energy components and associated necessary resources and waste products. They draw connections between outputs that provide inputs for other needs, and explore the problem of using linear solutions in resource-limited environments. Then students incorporate cards based on biorecycling technologies, such as algae photobioreactors and anaerobic digesters in order to make circular connections. Finally, the student teams present their complete biorecycling engineering solutions to their scenarios in poster format by connecting outputs to inputs, and showing the cycles of how wastes become resources.

Students will use this website to learn more about the CRAAP Test and how to use it to evaluate websites.  Then, they will watch this video as a review.  Finally, they will complete an activity in which they find and evaluate two websites, one good and one bad.   

Packet of experiments, crafts, and activities created to help expand the topics connected to Dr. Mae Jemison and the space shuttle era. These materials are connected to Standards of Learning

Packet of experiments, crafts, and activities created to help expand the topics connected to Dr. Mae Jemison and the space shuttle era. These materials are connected to Standards of Learning

A mixture of experiment and activites to expand learning on the Space Walk Storytime. Learn about space scientists and about the tools they use. The activities connect to Standards of Learning

A mixture of experiment and activites to expand learning on the Space Walk Storytime. Learn about space scientists and about the tools they use. The activities connect to Standards of Learning

Flights of Fancy Story Time Pre and Post Visit Materials Wright Brothers Companion Learning Lab

Flights of Fancy Story Time Pre and Post Visit Materials Amelia Earhart Companion Learning Lab.

Flights of Fancy Story Time Pre and Post Visit Materials Amelia Earhart Companion Learning Lab.

Packet of experiments and other interactive activities to expand topics connected to Bessie Coleman and early flight. These activities connect to common core and Next Generation Science standards.

Packet of experiments and other interactive activities to expand topics connected to Bessie Coleman and early flight. These activities connect to common core and Next Generation Science standards.

Flights of Fancy Story Time Pre and Post Visit Materials Space Walk Companion Learning Lab

A slideshow version of the Flights of Fancy Story Time Space Walk learning lab. An alternative to using the Smithsonian Learning lab website

Flights of Fancy Story Time Pre and Post Visit Materials Tortoise and Hare Companion Learning Lab

A mix of activities from experiments to writing activities. Expand learning on concepts connected to the Wright Brothers and Early Flight. These activities connect to standards of learning.

A slideshow version of the Flights of Fancy Story Time Wright Brothers learning lab. An alternative to using the Smithsonian Learning lab website