Synthetic Materials from Natural Resources Real-World Case Study | Physical Science | Grades 6–8

This Real-World Case Study asks grades 6–8 Middle School Physical Science students to weigh a real decision about Synthetic Materials from Natural Resources and defend a solution with evidence.

Scenario: The coastal city of Oceancrest hands out over 4.2 million plastic shopping bags each year, and about 650,000 end up in the harbor and wetlands. The bags are made from petroleum. Sea turtles mistake floating bags for jellyfish. The city council has two plans. Proposal A requires stores to use compostable PLA bags made from corn,… Key question: "What problem could happen if people put PLA bags in the same recycling bins as regular plastic?"

What's inside: the scenario, 5 questions to consider, an answer key, arguments for and against for the teacher, and teacher notes.

Resource type: Case Study (.docx). Format: editable Microsoft Word handout with approximately 640 words (~4 pages).

Classroom use: independent response, small-group comparison, and a whole-class debate in a Middle School Physical Science course. Grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.