GRADE 8 TECHNOLOGY TERM 2 WEEK 1
TOPIC: IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY
CORE CONCEPTS, SKILLS AND VALUES: The positive impact of technology:
Many natural materials have been replaced in modern times by new or improved
materials
Some new materials are environmentally friendly by being bio-degradable
REQUISITE PRE-KNOWLEDGE
LESSON 1
LESSON TITLE: POSITIVE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY
DATE: 03/04/2024
DURATION: 1 HOUR
KEY CONCEPTS: • biodegradable
Environmentally friendly
Renewable
ADVANTAGES OF HUMAN-MADE MATERIALS
Often cheaper to produce
e.g. leather soccer balls are more expensive and need
a special greasy substance to keep them waterproof.
Often need less maintenance
e.g. plastic chairs are easy to wipe down and
keep clean; wooden chairs need varnishing to
protect them from the weather
Often stronger
e.g. titanium tennis rackets are much lighter and stronger than wooden ones
Biodegradable products are environmentally friendly
Biodegradable products can be broken down by air, water & bacteria into dry small parts
that can be absorbed by the Earth – no harm is done to the environment.
Biodegradable packaging:
o Decays or breaks down naturally & can form compost
o Doesn’t take up space in landfills
o Release very few toxins during the decay process
Biodegradable products are environmentally friendly -they don’t have a negative impact
on the environment
Biodegradable products are made from renewable sources of energy
CLASSWORK
1. List 5 things that are made of plastic in your home (5)
2. List three advantages of human-made materials (3)
3. What is meant by the term ‘biodegradable'? (2)
4. Describe two ways in which biodegradable packaging is environmentally friendly. (2)
Worksheet: Impact of plastic on people and the environment
1. What can happen if an animal eats a plastic bag?
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2. What happens to people and animals who breathe in the smoke and gases
that comes from burning plastic?
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3. Where do the smoke and gases go after the fire has burnt?
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4. What stays behind on the ground after the plastic was burnt?
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5. What does it look like when there are lots of plastic bags lying around your
house or school, or in the street, or in the veld?
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6. Look at the photo:
6.1 What can happen when plastic bags end up in a river or stream?
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6.2 What happens to plastic if it lies in water for a long time? Does it
change?
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