Objective: Students will be able to define the concept and value of renewable resources and be able to distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources.

Learning Skills:
- natural science
- consumer awareness
- classification

Lessons:

Parts I & II:
The Activity 4 worksheet (attachemnt below) introduces the concept of renewable resources, a term that may not be as well known by students as the concept of recycled or recyclable materials. Set the stage for this activity by discussing the differences between renewable and non-renewable resources and which items are recyclable.

Part III Option: Ask students to visit their local supermarket to make a list of ten products that come from renewable resources and ten which come from non-renewable sources. Which are recyclable?

Answers:

Part I: Oil and coal are non-renewable resources.

Part II: Trees can be replanted and are therefore renewable, but plastic is made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.

Part III: Products made from renewable resources include: clothing made from cotton or leather, foods, wood-cased pencils, paper and solar electric power. Recyclable, but not renewable, products include aluminum cans and glass bottles, Products made from non-renewable resources include: gasoline, clothes from polyester or nylon cloth, the natural gas that heats water in your home and plastic pencils.