Educator Spotlight: Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Blade Shepherd-Jones led students through a hands-on study of the hazards of marine debris. Students explored the effects of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch on the marine animals native to the Hawaiian islands and their beachfront community. Their study culminated in student-led nature clean-ups, after which students made sculptures from debris depicting animals affected by marine pollution. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Possible Good News: Some Plastic Pollution Isn’t Plastic After All

ENVIRONMENT The sea is awash with microscopic bits of plastic. But a hint of good news is emerging from Vancouver Island, where a recent investigation found that the amount of plastic contamination in shellfish there is just a tiny percentage of what the scientists expected. (Hakai Magazine) Take these 10 easy steps to fight plastic pollution. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key … Continue reading Possible Good News: Some Plastic Pollution Isn’t Plastic After All

Educator Spotlight: Spreading Awareness for Water Issues through Art

Cathie Pearson designed a project called H2O Heroes in which her students made art out of recycled plastic products to raise awareness for ocean pollution. After learning about how water quality varies around the world, her students decided to continue the lesson with a fundraiser for the Water Project. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Spreading Awareness for Water Issues through Art

Seal Scat, Plastic Pollution

ENVIRONMENT Tiny pieces of plastics are turning up in the feces of seals that feed on whole fish, demonstrating how seaborne contamination can move up the food chain. (Seeker) Use our inquiry-based activity to help guide student discussion about human impact on ocean animals. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New research documents the presence … Continue reading Seal Scat, Plastic Pollution

Oldest-Known Message in a Bottle Washes Up in Australia

WORLD A Perth family has found the world’s oldest known message in a bottle, more than 130 years after it was thrown into the sea. (ABC News) Use today’s MapMaker Interactive map to help students navigate the journey of the bottle. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of today’s key resources in our Teachers Toolkit, including a link to today’s MapMaker Interactive map. Discussion … Continue reading Oldest-Known Message in a Bottle Washes Up in Australia