Grade 9-12

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. 

There is a great deal of information and misinformation about how much marine debris exists in the open ocean and how it is distributed. We often hear that “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is twice the size of Texas”, but what exactly does that mean? Students will read and discuss the article “Pacific Ocean 'garbage patch' exaggerated, new analysis asserts”.

Students use a sampling protocol to collect, sort and quantify (by number or by weight) marine debris collected from a beach. The 5 Gyres lesson provides data cards for macro and micro marine debris. This activity is available for Grades 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12, within the "Composition and Abundance" unit. 

In this activity, students explore contents of ‘beach boxes’ in groups at tables, sorting contents into “marine debris”, “NOT marine debris” and “not sure”. This activity is available for Grades 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12, within the "Composition and Abundance" unit. 

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->  A summary of the "Keepin' It Clean in 2017" project, which paired middle school students with master's students to learn about marine debris and create an action project to reduce it.

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->  A summary of educational efforts to reduce single-use plastics and provide students with the tools to communicate about marine debris issues through presentations at local schools and other events.

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->  A summary of a project through a local high school to conduct a research project on historic debris accumulation on the islands.

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->  A summary of the efforts of University of the Virgin Islands master's students' efforts to conduct outreach on single-use plastic and other marine debris reduction across the islands.

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->  A summary of student divers who conducted in-water debris removal projects.

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->  A summary of efforts to find new ways to communicate Marine Debris information through the University of the Virgin Islands.

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->  A summary of an annual "Trashion Show" where students incorporate debris into costumes and other art.

This lesson is best done after completion of one lesson in each of the sections Composition & Abundance, Sources & Transportation, and Impacts. Students will take everything they have learned about marine debris to create, develop, and complete a project to share their knowledge.

Students will reflect on how much plastic is part of their daily lives and explore creative ways to upcycle plastic bags and other thin, plastic materials into upcycled products to prevent them from potentially becoming marine debris.

Use scientific data to craft a way to reduce microplastics. Students will talk about the costs and benefits of their solutions to the marine environment and the people who use it.

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->  A summary of the Plastic-Free Island summit in 2017.