The "Do Nothing" Machine - Activity
Provided by: Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation|Published on: May 23, 2024|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: K-8
Type: Activity - Classroom
Subjects: Visual and Performing Arts, Engineering
Authors: Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This activity explores upcycling, environmental stewardship, and how human beings are connected to their surrounding environment.
- Students will complete a project where they create an artistic object that reduces waste, and they will engage in a classroom discussion about the objects they just created.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This activity could be very engaging for students who are artistically inclined.
- This activity displays a connection between the visual arts, engineering, and environmental science.
Additional Prerequisites
- It may be beneficial if students know about landfills and their environmental impact.
- It may be helpful if students have read some of the books attached to this resource.
Differentiation
- At the beginning of class, teachers can ask their students about upcycling in order to assess prior knowledge.
- This activity can fit within a larger unit on global waste management practices and how they're related to greenhouse gas emissions.
- This activity can enhance a classroom discussion on how government regulation can alter manufacturing practices and help promote sustainability.
- This activity can support a classroom discussion on various strategies for reducing waste on a personal level.
There is no specific climate science in this resource to review, but it does seem like a useful hands-on engineering project.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
