Life Cycle Analysis of a Chicken Nugget
Provided by: ASU Global Futures|Published on: July 20, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Biology
Authors: ASU Global Futures
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this activity, students will use prior knowledge, online research, and discussion to examine the production, distribution, use, and disposal of a familiar food item, the chicken nugget.
- Students consider the sustainability impacts of this product and imagine “a day in the life” of one of the many people whose job includes a part of this lifecycle.
- This resource includes a Google Slides presentation, worksheet, and activity cards.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This lesson is relevant to middle and high school students who will be easily engaged by the fast-food and consumer waste context.
- The Engage component of this lesson has a hands-on student activity with cards, that encourages students to work together and share information.
Prerequisites
- Students should already have a working knowledge of sustainability and its three components (social, economic, and environmental).
- The slide notes have extensive background information, which can help teachers better facilitate discussion. The slide notes also include videos to provide additional context.
Differentiation & Implementation
- This lesson can be taught in an economics class, especially if the topics of life cycle analysis and circular economy are relevant.
- The videos linked in the slide notes can help provide context for English language learners who may be less familiar with the terms.
- Students can connect prior knowledge and information from the PowerPoint to outline the environmental impacts of a specific stage in the manufacturing process using a role-play activity.
- The lesson includes many opportunities for extension such as creating a life cycle system diagram or building a circular economy solution for the sustainability problems that this lesson highlights.
Students will understand circular economy, food production systems, and reactions with environmental variables. It is suitable and recommended to understand the concept of sustainability in multiple capacities.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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