In the following WebQuest, you will use the power of teamwork and the many resources on the Internet to learn all about paper, plastic and recycling!

You will be asked to think about the advantages and disadvantages of using and/or recycling paper bags and plastic bags.

Each person on your team will learn about these topics, and think about the question 'Paper or Plastic?' from a different viewpoint.

You will be one of the following:
1. The Paper Advocate - a person who believes paper bags should be used.
2. The Plastic Advocate - a person who believes plastic bags should be used.
3. The Recycling Pessimist - a person who thinks that there are too many problems associated with recycling for it to be worth the time and money.
4. The Concerned Citizen - someone who just wants to see what the plastic and paper industries are doing to help the environment.

Then the four members of your group will come together to get a better understanding of the topic, and decide what might be the best answer. Should we choose paper? Should we choose plastic? Should we choose neither? After this your group will discuss your ideas and create a poster.
 

Phase - Background: Something for Everyone

In order to get your team ready for this quest, you will all need to visit and explore the following sites. Everyone in your group will get some background information about paper, plastic, and recycling before dividing into roles.

Explore the information and keep your eyes peeled for information you might find be useful in completing your role.

• Recycle City!
  http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/
• Virtual Recycling
  http://www.virtualrecycling.com/

Phase - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

Instructions:

1. Your teacher will assign the roles. It is important that you take your role seriously, because no two roles are alike. Even if you don't agree with your role, remember that you are trying to see the issue from a different viewpoint.

2. Read the instructions and questions assigned to your role.

3. Explore all of the links used for your role.

4. Take notes in your Research Journal (PDF) on each site you visit.

5. In your journal answer the questions assigned to your role.

6. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the question based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

The Paper Advocate

The Plastic Advocate

The Recycling Pessimist

The Concerned Citizen

 

Phase - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

Now that each person on your team has thought about the question 'Paper or Plastic?' from a different viewpoint, and answered their questions each is an expert in his or her area!
1. One at a time, each person in you group should share with the group what he or she learned from the viewpoint of his or her role.
2. Together, discuss what might be the best answer. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the Webpages you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the question. Should we choose paper bags ? Should we choose plastic bags? Should we choose neither?
3. Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can agree upon.
4. If your group decides that neither paper nor plastic bags are a good chioce, write down an alternative you discovered or one that your group came up with together.

 

Phase - Real World Feedback

Now it is time for you to put your learning into a project that will possibly help other people in your community make an informed decision when they are faced with the question 'Paper or Plactic?' while shopping.

Step 1:

Your group will make a poster about the pros and cons of using both plastic and paper bags. Your group will send your posters to a grocery store in your area, for them to display.

In your group choose:
The best reason for using paper bags
The best reason not to use paper bags
The best reason for using plactic bags
The best reason not to use plastic bags
Your group's favorite choice or the alternative
 

Step 2:

On a piece of poster board:
*Print the pros and cons for paper and plastic
*Your group's favorite choice or the alternative

Each person in your group should contribute. Proofread the poster.

At the bottom of the poster be sure to include:

*names of the members of your group

*the name of your teacher

*your grade

*name of your school