Name: ______Date: ______Class: ______
Dome It Challenge Worksheet
Scenario (w/answers):
Does nature produce waste? What happens to an apple that falls on the ground? (It rots and decomposes.) The apple waste breaks down into nutrients, which are resources that plants need to grow. A tree uses the nutrients to produce more apples, completing the cycle. In this example, what are the wastes? (Answer: No wastes; everything is reused.) Environmental engineers create technologies that mimic the recycling done by natural organisms. Bybiorecycling, the nutrients and resources in organic wastes, like those from plants and animals, can be used again.
Why is biorecycling important? Why would we want to biorecycle? (Biorecycling greatly reduces or eliminates waste by turning wastes back into resources, and resources are limited.) Is biorecyclingsustainable? (Yes!) Why? (Answer: In the apple example, a cycle is formed so that resources are always available and waste does not build up.) Sustainable practices create circular loops or cycles.
Imagine this: If your neighborhood was suddenly trapped under a giant dome, what would happen to all of your waste? (Answer: Waste would pile up.) Where would you get water to drink, food to eat, or electricity? (Answers will vary, but expect students to recognize that they need to find these resources elsewhere if the infrastructure they usually depend upon was taken away.) Is this sustainable? (No.) Why? (Answer: This is an example of a linear system. Resources are used then discarded as waste; they only go one way.)
What if you were on a space station, desert island or underground cavern? In this activity, you are going to survive in a given location. As a group, you will design ways to meet your needs and manage your waste sustainably by using biorecycling systems.
Introduction
- What is the background story of your scenario?
Why are you there? How did you get there?
- What are some limitations of your scenario or what aspects make it difficult to survive?
Solution
- Poster: Design its scenario solution by drawing connections between the cards. Label connections and/or identify circular loops.
- How did you get your energy using biorecycling?
- How did you get your food using biorecycling?
- How did you deal with your waste?
- Draw a sustainable (circular) connection you made as part of your solution.
- Do you think you will survive your scenario? Why or why not?
Dome It Challenge Scenario Cards –Worksheet