Made from Earth

This Teacher’s Version of the textbook experientially expands and reinforces what students may already know about resources (energy and materials) that originate in our natural systems. Through the exploration of popular products (such as surfboards), students come to understand the crucial role of natural resources and energy in creating goods. The experiential lessons contained in this textbook focus on three phases of manufacturing: (1) the design process during which people make choices about the products and their sources, (2) the harvesting and extraction of raw materials from natural systems, (3) and the transportation of these raw materials from their sources to processing and manufacturing locations, and the associated energy and resource costs. Students come to understand the multiple inputs and outputs are part of the processing and manufacturing of the everyday objects and products we consume.