Students relate the location of plastics in the water column to the feeding behavior of various marine organisms. They discuss how marine debris can cause problems for different animals inhabiting a variety of ocean depths.

Students learn about at least two possible impacts of microplastics on the marine environment. They calculate the surface area of rectangular prisms of various sizes and create an argument that the greater surface area of small plastic pieces can potentially accumulate more toxins.

Students will explore the mathematical concept of probability in the context of marine debris in the ocean. Using a spinner with items an animal could potentially ingest, students calculate the probability that the animal will encounter marine debris instead of food.

Students focus on one characteristic of some marine debris – the “loop” shape – and learn how marine debris items with this shape negatively impact sea lions. This activity is available for Grades 4-5, within the "Impacts" unit. 

Students use a model to make observations about how an animal entangled in marine debris might be affected. Then they play a game that demonstrates how plastics in the ocean can be ingested by animals. This activity is available for Grades 4-5, within the "Impacts" unit. 

Students perform an experiment to learn how different types of debris break down over time and how they are their degradation is affected by environmental conditions. This activity is available for Grades 6-8 and 9-12, within the "Composition and Abundance" unit. 

Students relate the location of plastics in the water column to the feeding behavior of various marine organisms. They discuss how marine debris can cause problems for different animals inhabiting a variety of ocean depths. This activity is available for Grades 4-5 within the "Impacts" unit, and for Grades 6-8 and 9-12 within the "Composition and Abundance" unit. 

Students will review key marine debris vocabulary using BINGO. They will explore and discuss different solutions to and prevention for the marine debris problem. Students will also brainstorm new creative solutions through art. Students will be asked to make a commitment to decreasing their plastic consumption by signing a Plastics Pledge.

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 are introduced to the subject of marine debris, its composition, its impact on marine wildlife, and the land-to-ocean connection in an informative talk story session utilizing visual aids and activities.

After creating the masks, take the opportunity to spread the message by sharing what you’ve learned. Post the faces in the hall and write out messages, put them on the stage and share their messages with the school, or use them to present what was learned to the larger community at a local event!

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.

Students split into teams on opposite sides of a visual barrier in the classroom. Debris will be spread over each team’s side of the barrier. Their goal will be to remove all the trash from their side, and they will win when there is no trash on the ground. Students will find that the only way that they can win is by taking care of their own trash rather than throwing it onto the other side.

Students will use a series of videos to explore modern landfills, recycling, and plastic in the environment.

Washed Ashore, in partnership with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, developed an integrated arts marine debris curriculum to educate school students about marine debris.