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Stop Trashing the Ocean

How does a plastic bottle discarded in North America end up on a beach in Africa? Make a map tracing the path of a piece of trash through the world's waterways.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Poster Board

Steps

  • Step 1

    Discuss watersheds, ocean gyres, and other water routes. Have students look up and learn about the five major gyres in the world. Talk about how waste - especially lightweight plastic bottles, lids, and caps - accumulates in these gyres. Why do students think birds and other wildlife might mistake this for food? What happens when they eat it? Discuss the danger to plants and wildlife when we pollute our water.

  • Step 2

    Ask students to choose a region and its water route. Have them research where an item dropped into this waterway might eventually end up and then create a map to depict the travels.

  • Step 3

    To create the water portion of the map students should start with a sketch and then add watercolor to designate regions of water and land. When that is dry they can use fine line markers to label the land areas and add the water currents, as well as other landmarks and features. Encourage them to include debris symbols among the water current arrows to indicate the path of the trash.

  • Step 4

    Display the maps and invite students to present what they learned about how the waterways in the region they studied become polluted with trash. What sustainability practices do they recommend?

Standards

SCI: Ask questions about the features of phenomena observed and conclusions drawn from investigations or models.

SCI: Convey designs through sketches, detailed drawings, or physical models to communicate ideas and solutions.

SCI: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information based on evidence.

SS: People, Places, and Environments: Use maps, globes, and other geographic tools. Demonstrate understanding of the use and misuse of the environment and the relationship between human populations and the physical world.

Adaptations

Find out about community projects designed to improve your local watershed. Arrange for students to participate in a local stream clean up project.

Research the 1987 story of the Mobro 4000, nicknamed "The Garbage Barge." What ultimately happened to all the garbage? What was its legacy?