ECO LOGS MADE FROM RESIDUE OF COFFEE RURAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, QUINDIO, COLOMBIA

Science

CONTENT

Science

Fermentation; Deforestation; Use of coal; Renewable energies

Character

Awareness

Global Goal

Skill

Experimentation; Scientific Thinking; Questioning; Hypothesis; Observation

Age Group

12-13 years / Grade 8

Learning Standards

McREL International: 5. Understands energy and power types, sources, and conversions. 9. Understands the sources and properties of energy.

 

Prerequisite

None

LEARNING GOAL & PURPOSE

This is an inspiring story of a team of students from Rural Educational Institution, Quindio, Colombia, who came together and helped their municipality by working on the major cause of pollution due to the coffee industry. To combat this, they created Eco logs with the waste of coffee residue to replace wood and coal that the farmers are using in the coffee drying machines and at the fire places in their homes. These Eco logs are now being used by several farms with a positive and a sustainable result.

Lesson Plan

  • Show the video and ask students to share what they feel about the video.
  • Fermentation is mentioned in the video. The teacher can have a session on that and bring some examples to the classroom. A lab experiment can also be carried out so that students can see how it works.
  • Students can do an in-depth research on the effects deforestation is having in their country. How has the situation evolved during the last century? What problems will it bring in the years ahead? What is their government doing to prevent that disaster? The data obtained can be shared through a short video to raise awareness among the school and community.
  • How much coal is used in your country? With which purpose? Students can be asked to investigate its advantages and disadvantages.
  • If possible: what renewable energies can replace coal use? Which advantages and disadvantages do they have? Which ones are being used in your country? Students can be divided into groups in order to search the answers to these questions.