Sixth Graders Focus on Recycling

A new science unit is helping sixth grade students in the Cedar Rapids Community School District to learn more about recycling and trash disposal.

The “Materials” unit allows students to follow the life cycle of a product from the selection of raw materials to disposal and reuse. (Some student favorites have included blue jeans, cell phones, and CD's.)

A culminating activity then brought all 1,200 sixth grade students to the Linn County Solid Waste Agency to learn more about how community facilities help to reduce, reuse, recycle, and dispose of materials. During the learning trips, student groups rotate through stations focusing on recycling opportunities, safe and hazardous materials disposal, composting, and landfill disposal.