Grade 2: Our Inspirational Field Trip to the Incineration Plant

As part of our Unit of Inquiry: Sharing the Planet, we went on a very exciting and important field trip to the Beitou Refuse Incineration Plant in Taipei. Our central idea is:

“We have a responsibility to maintain the Earth’s natural resources." On April 14th and 15th, each grade 2 class took turns visiting the incineration plant. Some of us went in the morning, and others went in the afternoon. We wore our school hats, got our clipboards, and travelled by bus. We were excited to find out:

 What happens to our rubbish after we throw it away?

How does Taipei help the environment?

During our trip, we explored our Lines of Inquiry in a real-world setting. We saw the problems caused by too much rubbish and how it can harm our environment if not managed properly. We also began to understand why people use and sometimes waste natural resources, often without realising the impact. At the incineration plant, we learned how reducing, reusing, and recycling can help protect the Earth and make better use of what we have. Most importantly, the visit helped us reflect on our own responsibility as stewards of the Earth—people who take care of the planet and make thoughtful choices to keep it healthy.

When we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly guide, Mr Chen, who showed us around the plant. He explained that an incineration plant is a special place where rubbish is burned safely to create energy. This means that our waste can be turned into electricity to power homes, schools, and other buildings! As we explored, we saw giant machines, tall chimneys, and a control room filled with buttons, screens, and flashing lights.

Some Grade 2 learners had thoughtful questions, like “Does the smoke hurt the air?” and “Can everything be burned?” The guide told us that special filters clean the smoke, and that only certain types of rubbish can be burned. After the tour, we talked about how surprised we were to learn that rubbish can be useful. One of the students said, “I never knew rubbish could make energy!” while another student shared, “It made me think about how much waste we throw away.”

Our trip to the incineration plant reminded us that taking care of the Earth is everyone’s job. When we reduce, reuse, and recycle, we show that we care. Together, we can make a big difference for the future of our planet.