Mobile Phones as Gold Deposit–Students Explore Sustainability in a Hands-on Project

Year 2018, Volume: 8 Issue: 3, 459 - 472, 29.12.2018

Anette Regelous Frank Holzförster Alexander Stıch

https://doi.org/10.33403/rigeo.505236

Abstract

Resources, resource efficiency and sustainability are one of the most important socio-political issues of
today. We here present a best practice example for project-based learning aiming to change student’s
understanding and attitude towards sustainability at school level. In this project forty-two Year 9
students explored by themselves the link between resources, sustainability and the consequences for
their own living environment. After an introductory school seminar the students washed gold in a
stream using gold washing pans. Afterwards, the students developed a hands-on model how gold
deposits form and carried out experiments concerning the physical and chemical properties of gold. At
the University the students then analysed the chemical composition of rocks containing gold. The
learning outcomes were measured by a self-designed questionnaire. The results of the questionnaire
before and after the project show that the students understood that mobile phones are “a valuable gold
deposit” and appreciated the value of the precious metal gold as a high-tech raw material. Before the
project only 24% of the students thought they had a good or very good understanding of the
interrelationship between resources and sustainability, but after the project the percentage has been
risen to 96%. In addition, the students realized the value of recycling as an important aspect of
sustainability. Only 5% of the students stated that they would recycle their mobile phones before the
project, after the project the percentage has increased to 67%. The students took action in their school
demonstrating a change in attitudes towards sustainability. 

Keywords

Sustainability, School Project, Mobile Phone, Education for Sustainable Development, Project Based Learning

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