Lesson Plan: Hempcrete – The Sustainable Building Material
Developed by: The Hemp Nation Group
Target Audience: This lesson plan is designed for high school (grades 9-12) students and adults interested in sustainable building materials and construction methods.
Subject: Construction Technology, Environmental Science, Sustainability
Time Allotment: 60 minutes (can be extended for additional activities)
Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to define hempcrete and explain its composition.
- Students will be able to describe the production process of hempcrete.
- Students will be able to compare and contrast hempcrete with traditional concrete in terms of environmental impact and building properties.
- Students will be able to discuss the potential applications of hempcrete in construction.
Materials:
- Projector and screen (or whiteboard)
- Markers or pens
- Chart paper
- Handout: “Hempcrete vs. Traditional Concrete” table (see differentiation section)
- Pictures/videos of hempcrete construction projects (optional)
- Access to the internet (optional)
Lesson Procedure:
Introduction (10 minutes):
- Brainstorming: Begin by asking students what they know about concrete and its role in construction. Write their answers on the board/chart paper.
- Introducing Hempcrete: Briefly introduce the concept of hempcrete as a sustainable alternative building material.
Activity (20 minutes):
- Deep Dive:
- Divide students into pairs or small groups.
- Provide them with resources (internet access or pre-selected materials) to research hempcrete.
- Focus on its composition (hemp hurd, lime binder), production process, and key properties (insulation, fire resistance, breathability).
- Comparison:
- Have students compare and contrast hempcrete with traditional concrete in a table format provided as a handout or created on chart paper.
- Encourage them to consider factors like environmental impact (carbon footprint, resource usage), thermal performance, and overall building health.
Discussion (20 minutes):
- Environmental Benefits: Lead a discussion about the environmental benefits of using hempcrete in construction.
- Focus on points such as carbon sequestration by hemp plants, reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling, and natural breathability for improved indoor air quality.
- Building Applications: Discuss the potential applications of hempcrete in various building projects.
- Show pictures or videos of existing hempcrete structures (optional).
- Encourage students to brainstorm additional applications beyond traditional walls (e.g., interior partitions, non-load-bearing structures).
Conclusion (10 minutes):
- Future of Hempcrete: Briefly discuss the challenges and opportunities related to the wider adoption of hempcrete in the construction industry.
- Exit Ticket: Provide students with an exit ticket to assess their understanding.
- This could be a short essay comparing the pros and cons of hempcrete or a list of potential future applications for this material.
Differentiation:
- For students with a strong background in construction, delve deeper into the technical aspects of hempcrete construction techniques (e.g., mixing ratios, application methods).
- For students with less construction knowledge, provide a simplified explanation of hempcrete and focus on its broader environmental benefits.
- Adapt the “Hempcrete vs. Traditional Concrete” table to include different levels of detail depending on the student’s level.
Assessment:
- Participation in class discussions and activities
- Exit ticket responses (short essay, list)
- (Optional) Students can research a specific application of hempcrete and create a presentation on its benefits and challenges.
Extension Activities:
- Invite a guest speaker from the hemp construction industry to talk to the class.
- Organize a field trip to a construction site using hempcrete (if available).
- Have students design a small model building using hempcrete as the primary building material.
Resources:
- International Hemp Building Association: International Hemp Building Association website: https://internationalhempbuilding.org/
- Hempitecture: Hempitecture website: http://www.hempitecture.com/
Note: This lesson plan provides a framework. Feel free to adjust the content, activities, and resources to best suit your students and audience.
