Sorting Marine Debris

First page of HWF curriculum summary.

Students will participate in a hands-on activity where they will be asked to utilize parts of the scientific method including observing, hypothesizing, experimenting (classifying), and conclusion forming. Depending on grade level and ability, this may include graphing/charting and communicating results. Students will be introduced to the science of understanding and solving problems related to marine debris.

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund created this Marine Debris Keiki (Children) Education & Outreach curriculum for grades K-5 as part of a project supported by the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

This curriculum introduces ocean circulation, marine ecology, and human impacts with a focus on marine debris to students in K-5th grade. Student activities meet the math and science benchmarks and Common Core standards for the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Education for each grade level. The curriculum includes presentations, lesson plans, activities, and vocab sheets, and culminates with a family "Beach Cleanup Day" at local marine debris hubs.

You can also check out the curriculum and supporting materials, including video lessons, handouts, and more, on Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund's website.

Lesson Plans
Education Tags:
Marine Debris Topics:  
• Types and Sources  
Audience:  
• Grade 3-5  
• Grade K-2  
Subject:  
• Math  
• Earth Science  
• Physical Science  
• Life Science  
Special Categories:  
• Working with Data  
• Class Discussion  
• Virtual Learning Ready  
• Scientific Method  
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas:  
• PS1: Matter and Its Interactions  
• LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes  
• LS4: Biological Evolution  
• ESS2: Earth’s Systems  
• ESS3: Earth and Human Activity  
• ETS1: Engineering Design  
NOAA Regions:   • Pacific Islands

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

Last updated Thu, 05/16/2024 - 12:42 pm EDT