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Recycling Basics (Demo) — Live Lesson

Use Brickit as a memorable “second life” moment: scan, build, discuss, quiz, reflect.

Lesson ID: 9.1 • 35–45 minutes • SDG 12 (optional SDG 13)

👩‍🏫 Facilitator Overview (for teacher)

🎯 Goal: Run a clear, memorable recycling lesson using Brickit as the “second‑life” moment.

Total time: 35–45 minutes

What students should learn (plain language)

  • Recycling means: used materials can become new products.
  • Recycling works best when we follow simple rules that reduce contamination.
  • Brickit is a reuse example: we made something new without buying new parts.

Materials

  • One LEGO® pile per team (small tray or table space)
  • 1 device per team for Brickit scan/build
  • Students join your live class by QR/code
  • (Optional) board/poster with the mantra: Empty. Clean. Dry. No bags.

Facilitation keys

  • Keep builds short: choose a model that can be finished fast.
  • When asked “Is this recyclable?” answer: “It depends on local rules — today we learn the basics that work everywhere.”
  • Use the quiz explanations as your teaching moments.
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🧱 Sort the pile

🎯 Goal: Reduce chaos so scanning and building feel easy.

Duration: 8–10 minutes

👩‍🏫 Instructions

"Spread your bricks into one flat layer. Sort quickly by any attribute (shape/size/colour groups)."

👧👦 What You Need to Do

  • Pour bricks out
  • Sort quickly (no perfection)
  • Make one flat layer for scanning

👩‍🏫 Teacher Script

Say this: “Sorting is a skill. We’re not doing it perfectly — we’re doing it fast so the system works better.”

Prompt: “Pick ONE way to sort: by colour, by size, or by shape. Go.”

Watch for: big piles and tall stacks (ask teams to spread into one layer).

🟦 Teacher Tip

Keep the tone light: this is a warm‑up and a focus tool.

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📷 Scan & Choose a Model

🎯 Goal: Use Brickit to find something buildable from what you already have.

Duration: 5–7 minutes

👩‍🏫 Instructions

"Scan your bricks with Brickit. Choose a model your team likes and can build in 7 minutes."

"Brickit recognizes shape and size, not colour. Substitutions are okay."

👧👦 What You Need to Do

  • Scan your pile
  • Pick a simple model
  • Make a plan: who builds what?
📷 Open Scan & Build

👩‍🏫 Teacher Script

Say this: “This is our second‑life moment: a random pile becomes a clear plan. We’re going to connect this feeling to recycling.”

Prompt: “Choose a model you can finish in 7 minutes. If you see a hard one, pick a simpler option.”

If teams get stuck: “Pick the smallest model in your list. The point is finishing.”

🟦 Teacher Tip

Guide teams toward simple models they can finish fast. The point is the experience and discussion.

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🛠️ Build

🎯 Goal: Build something new from what you already had.

Duration: 8–10 minutes

👩‍🏫 Instructions

"Build your chosen model. If you don’t have the exact piece, swap it for a similar one."

👧👦 What You Need to Do

  • Build together
  • Use substitutions if needed
  • Finish a working version (not perfect)

👩‍🏫 Teacher Script

Say this (halfway through): “Notice: nobody bought new pieces. You used what you already had.”

Say this (at the end): “That’s the idea of a circular economy — keep materials in use instead of throwing them away.”

Quick share: “One sentence: What did your team do when you didn’t have the exact piece?”

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💬 Explore: What is recycling?

🎯 Goal: Connect the build experience to real-world recycling basics.

Duration: 6–8 minutes

👩‍🏫 Instructions

"Look at your model and answer: How is this like recycling?"

👧👦 What You Need to Do

  • Share one sentence: “Recycling is…”
  • Listen to 3 simple rules
  • Then answer the quiz questions below

👩‍🏫 Teacher Script

Say this: “Recycling is when used materials become new products.”

Connect: “Like your LEGO: a pile became a new object. We didn’t need to buy anything new.”

Say this: “Now let’s learn three rules that help recycling work (local rules vary).”

  • Recycle the basics: bottles/cans/rigid containers + paper/cardboard
  • Empty, clean, dry (no food/liquid)
  • No bags — recyclables go loose

Optional chant (10 seconds): “Empty. Clean. Dry. No bags.” (repeat twice)

Local reminder: “Glass and cartons rules can vary — always follow your local program.”

🟦 Teacher Tip

Quiz launch: “Now answer the 12 quiz questions on your device. After each question, read the explanation.”

Timebox: 8–10 minutes. If a team finishes early: “Quietly review the mantra and help a neighbor.”

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🧠 Compare: Myths & mistakes

🎯 Goal: Fix common misconceptions that cause contamination.

Duration: 5–7 minutes

👩‍🏫 Instructions

"Discuss: What mistakes happen most often? What is one rule that prevents it?"

👩‍🏫 Teacher Script

Say this: “Let’s fix myths that cause contamination — when the wrong stuff goes into the recycling.”

Myths that create contamination:

  • "If it’s plastic, it’s recyclable." (Not always.)
  • "The arrows symbol means recyclable." (Not always.)
  • "Bagging recyclables keeps it clean." (It creates problems.)

Prompt: “Which myth is the most common in your house? What will you do instead?”

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✅ Reflect: One action

🎯 Goal: Commit to one habit that improves recycling quality.

Duration: 3–5 minutes

👩‍🏫 Instructions

"Write one action you will do this week (at home/school/community)."

👩‍🏫 Teacher Script

Say this: “Go around quickly: each team shares one action. Keep it specific and realistic.”

Prompt: “Start your sentence with: ‘This week, we will…’”

Examples: “We will never bag recyclables.” “We will empty cups before recycling.”

Closing line: “Recycling works better when we do the basics. You just learned the basics.”