What is this Toy Truck Made Of? - Cornell Composting

What Is This Toy Truck Made Of?
(Adapted from Recycling: Mining Resources From Trash, Cornell Waste Management Institute)

GRADE LEVELS: K-3

SUBJECT AREAS: social studies, science

CONCEPT: Many natural resources may be needed to make one object.

OBJECTIVE: To identify how many resources are used to produce an item and why each resource is so important.

MATERIALS:
- handout: "What Is This Made Of" Record Sheet (below)
- pencil
- ask students to bring in a toy truck or other item to be discussed
KEYWORDS: natural resources
BACKGROUND: Use an object that youth are familiar with to explore how many resources are used to make it. Youth should realize that everything is made from a natural resource. Example: pencil, house, bicycle, car, softball.

PROCEDURE: Take an item that you are familiar with and list all the raw materials needed to produce it.

Example: A toy truck is made of: wood, paint, plastic, steel, rubber

"What Is This Made Of" Record Sheet

Item being examined:

______________________________________________________________________

Parts that make up the object Raw Materials Needed Renewable in 100 years?

i.e. - rubber tires latex from trees yes

______________________________________________________________________

Parts that make up the object	Raw Materials Needed	Renewable in 100 years?
i.e. - rubber tires	latex from trees	yes