Be a 4-H Scientist! Materials in a Green, Clean World is an inquiry-based science curriculum focusing on the following concepts: materials; plastics; the three R's: Reduce, Re-use, Recycle; the work of scientists and engineers. The curriculum is designed to build foundational skills of science and engineering: observation, asking questions, sorting and classifying, and communicating. 

The curriculum contains six learning modules intended for delivery in out-of-school time facilitated by an educator (trained volunteers or program staff).  Modules also include a "Science At Home" activity to be completed by parents/other adults and children at home.

Development Team: A partnership between the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Polymers, University of Minnesota Extension, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cornell University Cooperative Extension, and edited by SciGirls.  This work is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Center for Sustainable Polymers CHE-1413862.

Are you interested in learning more about the curriculum, straight from the author and a 4-H educator? Watch a webinar all about the curriculum, available here.

This curriculum is part of a series with titles for every grade level:

• Sustainable Polymers: Plastics of the Future for a Green, Clean World, Grades 3-5
• Sustainable Polymers: Taking Action to Solve the Challenge of Plastics, Grades 6-8
• Sustainable Polymers: Confronting the Plastic Crisis, Grades 9-12