LEAP Lesson
Request Form

LEAP Recycling Education Offerings

1. Select the lesson you would like us to present on the lesson request form (link at left will open in a new window). You may request one lesson per form. To request additional lessons, simply submit the form again. Be sure to indicate your email address and phone number so that we may contact you.

2. Indicate three preferred dates and times to help us accommodate you into our schedule.

For more information, contact:

Katy Mike Smaistrla
Education Coordinator
314-577-0207
katymike.smaistrla@mobot.com

These presentations are offered free of charge to public and private schools in City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, Jefferson County and St. Charles County. Each presentation is approximately 45 minutes long.

Decomposer Detectives - Discover the secrets and mysteries of organisms by digging through compost. Students will perform the skit "To Eat and Be Eaten," use hand lenses to examine and identify decomposers and learn about natural cycles. Skit can also be used as a peer-teaching tool! (Science, Communication Arts. Suggested grades 3-6)

Dollars and $ense (this lessons requires a minimum of 60 minutes) - Can recycling be beneficial to the economy as well as the environment? Playing a game, students experience the relationships between raw materials, producers, consumers and the market economy. Learn how two local companies profit from using 100% recycled material! (Communication Arts, Social Studies, Math. Suggested grades 4-12)

Energy Chain - An interactive, energizing role-playing activity looking at the natural, capital, and human resources needed to make a plastic bottle. This activity demonstrates the difference between linear and cyclical systems and distinguishes between renewable and non-renewable resources. (Science, Social Studies, Communication Arts. Suggested grades 4-12)

Garbology 101 - Wonder where trash goes when it leaves your home or school? This tabletop model allows students to observe the workings of a modern landfill. Explore the roles of society, economics and science in solid waste disposal. Includes a video visit to a landfill with Dr. William Rathje, world famous "Garbologist." (Science, Social Studies, Communication Arts. Suggested grades 4-12) * Note: This presentation requires presentation be done by LEAP Unit staff due to the cost of the model.

HH or Safe? Household Hazardous Alternatives - An introduction to hazardous materials commonly used in the home, including legal definitions of substances and a label-reading exercise. Students test household cleaning products, comparing "hazardous products" with safer alternatives. Discussion includes purchasing, handling and product disposal. (Communication Arts, Social Studies, Science. Suggested grades 6-12)

Making Recycled Paper - Experience the process of making paper from recycled stock. Although students use blenders and industry uses gigantic "hydropulpers," the process is the same. Use various colors and additives to alter the appearance and texture of paper. *Participants must bring one section of newspaper for use in this activity. (Science, Communication Arts. Suggested grades 3-12)

Paper Sleuths - What is paper made of? What happens to the paper we recycle? Students investigate the structure and properties of paper and make detailed observations and comparisons. We also discuss the role of recycled content and the efficient use of paper resources. *School must provide one Brock microscope per four students. (Science, Communication Arts. Suggested grades 4-8)

Trash Bag Relay - Combines waste awareness with decision-making skills. Student relay teams sort the contents of trash bags, deciding whether or not to Reuse, Recycle, Compost or Landfill. This activity is excellent for peer teaching in same grade or younger classes. (Suggested grades K-12)

Trash Math (this lesson requires a 90 minute timeframe) - What comprises our waste stream? Working in small groups, participants sort the contents of a miniature trashcan, create a 3-D pie graph and identify strategies to reduce waste. Modeled on the Missouri Solid Waste Composition Study. Dichotomous key or math activity available for older grades. (Communication Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science. Suggested grades 4-12)

The Story of PETE - Kids love using puppets made entirely of recycled/reused materials when they participate in this musical story. Find out how an empty plastic bottle becomes useful again! An excellent peer-teaching resource. (Communication Arts, Social Studies, Science. Suggested grades K-2)

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