Activating Knowledge on Plastic Pollution

This lesson will activate students’ existing knowledge and experiences, stimulate their desire to learn more, and provide an opportunity to reflect on their knowledge acquisition in the future. Activating their prior knowledge is helpful to assess what students already know, understand any misconceptions, and pinpoint areas of interest. This process will be organized and recorded on a Know-Wonder-Learn chart. The K-W-L chart can be revisited while completing other activities in the curriculum as knowledge is acquired and more questions arise.

“Plastic Pollution and You,” published by New York Sea Grant, is a 15-lesson curriculum focused on marine debris sources, impacts, and solutions. These hands-on lessons and activities help students learn the different types of plastics, their impact on marine and freshwater ecosystems, and about ways to address and prevent plastic pollution. Interdisciplinary elements of this curriculum include policy research, and effective outreach and communication strategies. The curriculum is designed to be appropriate for multiple grade levels, meet New York State and Next Generation Science Standards, and align with several regional environmental action plans. Educators from New York who are interested in getting involved in future revisions to the curriculum can connect with New York Sea Grant through their website.

To learn more about “Plastic Pollution and You,” including an instructional webinar reviewing the units and lessons, visit the New York Sea Grant website.