Science · Year 6 · Science as a Human Endeavor · Term 3

Science in Global Problem Solving

Using scientific thinking to address issues like waste, energy, and health.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9S6H02

About This Topic

Science is a powerful tool for solving global problems, from managing waste and providing clean energy to improving public health. In Year 6, students explore how scientific thinking, identifying a problem, testing solutions, and analyzing data, is used to address challenges facing our planet. This aligns with the ACARA Science as a Human Endeavor and Sustainability strands.

Students will look at local and global examples, such as the development of biodegradable plastics or the use of drones to monitor endangered species in Australia. They will also consider how scientific solutions must work alongside social and economic factors. This topic comes alive when students can engage in 'design thinking' missions to solve a real-world problem in their own school or community.

Key Questions

1. Design innovative scientific approaches to improve plastic recycling processes.
2. Evaluate the critical scientific information that policymakers require to formulate environmental legislation.
3. Justify the criteria used to prioritize which global scientific problems are most urgent to address.

Learning Objectives

• Design a prototype for an improved plastic recycling sorting mechanism.
• Analyze scientific data to justify recommendations for environmental legislation.
• Evaluate the ethical considerations involved in prioritizing global scientific challenges.
• Synthesize information from various sources to propose solutions for waste reduction.
• Critique existing waste management strategies based on scientific principles.

Before You Start

Identifying Variables and Fair Testing

Why: Students need to understand how to identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables to design and evaluate scientific solutions.

Interpreting Data and Drawing Conclusions

Why: Students must be able to analyze data from experiments to draw valid conclusions, which is essential for evaluating scientific information and solutions.

The Role of Science in Society

Why: A foundational understanding of how science impacts daily life and community decisions prepares students to explore its role in global problem-solving.

Key Vocabulary

biodegradable	A material that can be broken down naturally by biological processes, such as by microorganisms, reducing its environmental persistence.
circular economy	An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources, contrasting with the traditional linear economy of take, make, dispose.
life cycle assessment	A methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life, from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling.
policy brief	A concise summary of a particular issue, the policy options to address it, and recommendations, intended to quickly inform policymakers.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Science can solve any problem instantly.

What to Teach Instead

Students often expect 'magic' solutions. Use peer discussion to explore why some problems (like climate change) are difficult to solve because they involve politics, money, and human behavior, not just science.

Common Misconception

Only 'professional' scientists can solve problems.

What to Teach Instead

Many students feel they are too young to help. Active learning projects in the school community help them see that 'citizen science' and local action are vital parts of the global solution.

Active Learning Ideas

Collaborative Problem-Solving: The Waste Challenge

Groups are given a 'waste profile' of their school. They must use scientific thinking to design a new system (e.g., a better composting method or a soft-plastic recycling plan) and create a pitch to convince the principal to adopt it.

60 min·Small Groups

Mock Trial: The Plastic Ban

Students role-play a community meeting where a ban on single-use plastics is being discussed. They must represent different viewpoints (scientist, shop owner, turtle conservationist, busy parent) using scientific evidence to support their claims.

50 min·Whole Class

Stations Rotation: Global Solutions

Set up stations featuring different global problems (e.g., dirty water, malaria, rising sea levels). At each station, students read about a scientific solution and then brainstorm one way that solution could be improved or adapted for Australia.

45 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Environmental engineers at companies like TerraCycle develop innovative recycling programs for hard-to-recycle waste, such as working with schools to collect and repurpose snack wrappers.
• Scientists at CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) in Australia conduct research into new biodegradable materials and waste-to-energy technologies to address Australia's waste challenges.
• Government policymakers consult with climate scientists and environmental experts to draft legislation, like the proposed bans on single-use plastics, to protect ecosystems and public health.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'If we could only fund one global scientific problem to solve in the next 10 years, which should it be and why?' Facilitate a class discussion where students must justify their choices using criteria like potential impact, urgency, and feasibility.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short article about a new environmental policy proposal. Ask them to identify: 1) The specific problem the policy aims to solve. 2) Two pieces of scientific information that likely informed the policy. 3) One potential scientific challenge in implementing the policy.

Exit Ticket

Students complete the sentence: 'To improve plastic recycling in our school, I would design a process that...' They then list one scientific principle their design relies on.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does science help with the plastic problem?

Scientists are working on two main fronts: creating new materials (like bioplastics made from corn or seaweed) that break down naturally, and developing new ways to recycle existing plastic more efficiently so it doesn't end up in our oceans.

What is 'Citizen Science'?

Citizen science is when everyday people help scientists by collecting data. In Australia, people use apps to track frog calls, count birds, or report sightings of invasive species, providing huge amounts of data that scientists couldn't get on their own.

Why do scientists need to talk to politicians?

Scientists provide the facts and data about problems like pollution or disease. Politicians use that information to make laws and decide how to spend money to keep the community safe and healthy.

How can active learning help students understand global problem-solving?

Active learning moves students from being 'consumers' of information to 'problem-solvers.' When they have to design a solution for their school's waste or debate a plastic ban, they realize that science is a practical tool. This builds their confidence and helps them see the relevance of science in their own lives.