Quest 3 – The technology we use
LESSON CREATED BY Earth School Partners USING TED-Ed's LESSON CREATOR
Video from TED-Ed YouTube Channel
Let’s Begin…
Did you know that your cell phone and computer contain tons of rocks and minerals? Today, we’re going to dive into how electronic devices are made, what natural resources they use, and learn how to enjoy everything that technology has to offer without doing irreparable harm to the planet. Educator Kim Preshoff investigates the sustainability of phone production. After the video, continue onto other sections to learn more, interact, act and share.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Before you dive into the rest of this Quest, check out these videos for more info about what metals and minerals go into our electronics, where they come from, how they’re made, and the proper way to recycle these precious materials:
Watch 1: Where does your phone come from (Economist)
Watch 2: The Story of Electronics
Watch 3: ASAP Science: Periodic Table Song
Watch 4: Lithium 101 (National Geographic)
LEARN + INTERACT
Explore the origins of Nintendo’s popular DS device with PBS’ animated short video full of facts about how the DS is made. (for ages 5-10)
Watch how things are made to understand how raw materials are transformed (manufactured) into our everyday stuff: PBS Manufacturing Process (for kids); What is manufacturing? (PBS); The process of manufacturing (PBS); Learn Manufacturing (PBS) (for all ages)
Explore how tech doesn’t just come from nature, but actually helps us learn more about it with this video from National Geographic. (all ages) Discover more about this by watching Making electronic gadgets to explore our world: drop cam (for ages 11+)
Discover how Liam the robot breaks down old cell phones to their component parts to be used again! (for all ages)
ACT + SHARE
Make an e-waste box for your house. Be creative! Decorate the box with a collage of pictures of electronics from a store flyer. Store the box somewhere accessible and remind your family to place old batteries and non-functional electronics like old cell phones, DSs, tablets, computers. When the box is full, bring it to the local e-waste facility. (for all ages)
Break apart some old electronic devices (with your parents’ permission and supervision, of course!) Take them apart carefully: What’s inside? Can you spot copper? Aluminum? Find the circuit board. They’re usually pretty small, but see if you can spot the gold in that circuitry! Check BreakerSpace for more breakdown ideas! Share your findings with us using #EarthSchool. When you’re finished, make sure to bring the devices and all of their parts to your local e-waste facility. (for ages 11+)
WANT MORE?
Watch PBS’ video on The Natural History of the Cell Phone to learn about the life of a phone. (for all ages)
Learn how much water it takes to build one computer? Find out at DoSomething.org’s list of 11 Facts About E-Waste. (For ages 10+) Look at this very clear infographic about closing the resource loop by recycling old electronics.
Resources for Parents and Educators: Host activities and project ideas from these PBS Teacher Resources and learn more about the global issues around Children's Health and e-Waste (WHO)
This Earth School Quest was created by the following incredible educators and environmental experts: Kathleen Usher PhD
Watch 1: Where does your phone come from (Economist)
Watch 2: The Story of Electronics
Watch 3: ASAP Science: Periodic Table Song
Watch 4: Lithium 101 (National Geographic)
LEARN + INTERACT
Explore the origins of Nintendo’s popular DS device with PBS’ animated short video full of facts about how the DS is made. (for ages 5-10)
Watch how things are made to understand how raw materials are transformed (manufactured) into our everyday stuff: PBS Manufacturing Process (for kids); What is manufacturing? (PBS); The process of manufacturing (PBS); Learn Manufacturing (PBS) (for all ages)
Explore how tech doesn’t just come from nature, but actually helps us learn more about it with this video from National Geographic. (all ages) Discover more about this by watching Making electronic gadgets to explore our world: drop cam (for ages 11+)
Discover how Liam the robot breaks down old cell phones to their component parts to be used again! (for all ages)
ACT + SHARE
Make an e-waste box for your house. Be creative! Decorate the box with a collage of pictures of electronics from a store flyer. Store the box somewhere accessible and remind your family to place old batteries and non-functional electronics like old cell phones, DSs, tablets, computers. When the box is full, bring it to the local e-waste facility. (for all ages)
Break apart some old electronic devices (with your parents’ permission and supervision, of course!) Take them apart carefully: What’s inside? Can you spot copper? Aluminum? Find the circuit board. They’re usually pretty small, but see if you can spot the gold in that circuitry! Check BreakerSpace for more breakdown ideas! Share your findings with us using #EarthSchool. When you’re finished, make sure to bring the devices and all of their parts to your local e-waste facility. (for ages 11+)
WANT MORE?
Watch PBS’ video on The Natural History of the Cell Phone to learn about the life of a phone. (for all ages)
Learn how much water it takes to build one computer? Find out at DoSomething.org’s list of 11 Facts About E-Waste. (For ages 10+) Look at this very clear infographic about closing the resource loop by recycling old electronics.
Resources for Parents and Educators: Host activities and project ideas from these PBS Teacher Resources and learn more about the global issues around Children's Health and e-Waste (WHO)
This Earth School Quest was created by the following incredible educators and environmental experts: Kathleen Usher PhD
We look forward to seeing your Quest in action!
Document your Quests— take photos of the experiments, activities, drawings, and writing prompts you tried— and share your journey with the Earth School team and students by using #EarthSchool. We'll feature some of your photos and stories on our social channels, hopefully encouraging others to join the cause!
Explore additional creative activities (for all ages!) from the Nature of Stuff and save images of your work from each Quest in Littlescribe – later you can create an original card, book, magazine or calendar to bring your adventures to life!
Document your Quests— take photos of the experiments, activities, drawings, and writing prompts you tried— and share your journey with the Earth School team and students by using #EarthSchool. We'll feature some of your photos and stories on our social channels, hopefully encouraging others to join the cause!
Explore additional creative activities (for all ages!) from the Nature of Stuff and save images of your work from each Quest in Littlescribe – later you can create an original card, book, magazine or calendar to bring your adventures to life!
