The Pencil Where does it come from? How does it get made? By Student Name

What materials are needed to make a pencil?  Cedar  Graphite  Clay  Gum

Step 1  Plant the cedar tree

Step 2 The Cedar tree is harvested; a trucker hauls the tree to a mill where the lumbar is prepared. Then, the lumbar is shipped to a factory. Then another new tree is planted.

Lead of the Pencil The lead of the pencil is made from graphite and clay. Graphite is mined and shipped to a factory. Clay is collected and shipped to a factory.

The Pencil Eraser Gums tapped, prepared and shipped to factory

Pencils are manufactured

Trucker hauls pencils to warehouse or railroad

Trucker hauls pencils to wholesale dealers

Trucker hauls pencils to retail stores

Customer drives to store to buy pencils

Customer uses, then discards pencil

Discarded pencils can be donated to a school/nature center for craft projects

Pencil eventually discarded

Pencil hauled to landfill or incinerator

Now, you think about it!  Where was energy used to manufacture or transport the product or its raw materials?  Where might pollution result?  Was the energy source renewable?  If not, could a renewable energy source be used?  How much do we as consumers depend upon energy to produce and to transport raw materials and the products we buy?

Resources for this project:  html html   Microsoft Office Clipart  PLT PreK-8 Activity Guide