PAC-IT Resource Kit
Resource Review
Title
PAC-IT: An Introduction into Packaging in New Zealand
Description
This boxed resource kit is a multi-disciplinary reference and activity package that illustrates the benefits of packaging and the processes and methodologies associated with its production. It is produced and distributed by the Packaging Council of New Zealand with support from the Ministry for the Environment's Sustainable Management Fund, Ministry of Education, local government and industry.
Curriculum links
PAC-IT has been developed to support projects that can realistically be undertaken in a classroom environment, focusing on materials most likely to be used in this setting such as plastic and paper. The resource also addresses environmental issues associated with packaging. It is designed to support the information needs of teachers of Year 1-10 students. While it primarily supports achievement objectives in the Technology curriculum, PAC-IT is also useful in other learning areas such as Science, Social Studies, Maths, Art, languages and Health.
Content
The boxed PAC-IT kit contains: a 150 page Teachers Guide; a shorter 29 page booklet of Activity Ideas; five video clips illustrating different packaging processes in either a video tape or DVD format; and a range of sample packaging materials.
Excerpt from the Teachers Guide
(click for full image)
The Teachers Guide is aimed at teachers who are planning and delivering projects involving packaging in a Year 1-10 programme. It is not intended as a student resource.
The Guide incorporates:
- An introduction to packaging
- Functions of packaging
- Developing packaging
- Packaging materials
- Closures
- Adhesives
- Labelling
- Active packaging
- Graphics design and printing
- Packaging and the environment
The booklet of Activity Ideas does not contain full lesson plans or unit outlines but is designed to provide ideas for activities to support achievement objectives across a range of learning areas. Activities are grouped into sections to make it easier to locate the type of activity:
- The functions and types of packaging
- Packaging materials
- Investigating properties of packaging materials
- Producing packaging
- Disposal of packaging materials
- Fun with used packaging materials
The suggested year range is deliberately broad to encourage teachers to use the activities at different depths.
The five different packaging processes detailed on the video tape and/or DVD are:
- The creation of a package: Designing and building a tray for packaging mushrooms (6.48)
- Pōhā: A story of traditional Māori food packaging (9.46)
- Packaging and its influence on the use of a product: The story of milk packaging (7.30)
- Packaging using plastics: A range of industrial processes for the manufacture of plastic packaging (7.49)
- Packaging using glass: Glass bottle production (3.32)
Samples of a variety of different packaging materials are also included within the kit.
Ease of Use
The material is presented in a very functional and user-friendly way. The detail in the Teaching Guide is well set out in a single column format with the wide left hand margin being used for additional notes, photographs and diagrams. A comprehensive bibliography and a 15-page glossary of terms complete the guide. Activity Ideas, which are referenced to specific pages in the guide, include surveys, 'things-to-make', investigations and testing procedures. Each activity has a suggested year range, a specific set of aims and links to Technology in the NZ Curriculum (2005). A bullet pointed activity outline is followed by comments on supplementary activities which could take place.
Rating
This is a resource developed and produced in New Zealand to support schools or individual teachers looking to include 'packaging' as a context within their Year 1-10 programme. Although not specifically addressing the updated New Zealand Curriculum (2007), the comprehensive nature of the coverage of the context and the high quality of presentation ensure that it will retain its intended relevance and value as a classroom resource.
Availability
The complete kit can be purchased through the Packaging Council of New Zealand – email [email protected] stating whether you would prefer the video examples in VHS tape or DVD format.
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