Engineering is one of the most popular ways to engage students in project-based learning, and it is also one of many ways to generate solutions to the problem of marine debris. Engineers are hard at work creating debris removal, capture, and prevention technologies around the world. Your students can join this vibrant community of problem-solvers! Here are some examples of projects and activities developed with the support of NOAA and the Marine Debris Program that incorporate engineering as a solution to marine debris issues: 

Name
Resource Type and Audience
Description
Lesson Plan, Grades K-12
This lesson plays on students’ creativity by asking them to design a machine that collects debris in the ocean without impacting wildlife.
Lesson Plan, Grade 5-8
Students will explore the concept of packaging, both what it has been and what it is. Then they will consider how modern packaging is affecting the environment and what they can do about it.
Lesson Plan, Grades 6-12
In this activity, students will learn about the design and management of trash capture technologies that have been installed in watersheds across the country. Students will then design a trash capture device that could be installed in their community.
Lesson Plan, Grades 6-12
Students will apply their acquired knowledge of different types of plastic and learn about which items are recyclable in their community. Students will take this new knowledge and creatively think of alternative items that could be used or invent new items to serve the same purpose to reduce the amount of plastic items that enter the waste stream.
ADV Related?
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Ranking
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Education Accordion
MDMAP Guide for Educators
MDMAP Guide Educators
After the Survey: Entering Data and Reflecting on the Experience

For citation purposes, unless otherwise noted, this article was authored by the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

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