Impacts

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.

Students will create a class definition for single use plastics. Next, students will create T-shirt bags as an alternative to plastic bags and explore the environmental cost of different types of bags.

In this introductory lesson, slides will show examples of marine debris and also of Washed Ashore sculptures. Whenever possible, actual examples of marine debris and sculpture work will be provided. The lesson will conclude with a brainstorm activity to look at the plastics used in everyday life.

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->  A summary of removal efforts of abandoned and derelict vessels following hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The goal of this lesson is to demonstrate what happens when natural disasters collide with inhabited areas. Students have the ability to interact with scientific models to learn about weather/natural disasters.

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->  A summary of the ways turtles in USVI can be impacted by marine debris.

The goal of this lesson is to demonstrate what happens to animals that get trapped by some kinds of marine debris. Students will experience similar effects to those that happen to animals that get trapped. This activity works well as an engagement activity.

In this lesson, students will learn about the impact of school waste on the environment. They will use math to measure some/all of the waste produced in one day on campus, and brainstorm ways to reduce that waste.

In this lesson students pose questions about the nature of the litter found around their school, make predictions, do a campus cleanup to cultivate environmental stewardship, and then brainstorm solutions to prevent litter. 

Plastic pollution can become marine debris when it is swept up by stormwater and enters a sewer system that has outlets into local waterways. Once plastic pollution becomes marine debris, it has a negative impact on our communities and ecosystems.

In this activity, students will learn more about the career of a research scientist who studies plastic pollution. Dr. Sherri “Sam” Mason is a leading researcher in the field of plastic pollution and has published numerous peer reviewed academic articles.

In this lesson, students will use the knowledge gained from the previous activities and/or independent research to develop a personal position on plastic pollution in their lives and communities. They will support this position with factual information from credible sources, write a concise position statement, and present it to their class.

By listening to and reflecting on a TEDTalk from author and political commentator Van Jones, students will explore how the life cycle of plastic has various ecological impacts and can have a disproportionate impact on different communities.

See the effects of trash on an area by trying to find all of the items on this scavenger hunt. Students will be able to illustrate the types of human-made trash that occur in our urban spaces and explore how these items can affect the human and non-human world. 

Explore the properties of plastic trash and see how they behave in the marine environment. Students will be able to describe that different types of plastics float, sink, or stay neutrally buoyant once they enter the ocean. Students will be able to begin to make connections between where a marine organism lives and feeds and their likelihood of debris exposure.