To get the word out that the Great Pacific garbage patch (GPGP) contains millions of pounds of non-biodegrading plastics, individuals research the GPGP and write an article for a newsletter. Researchers present their facts in a...

Students investigate how human beings impact ocean ecosystems. In this ocean ecosystem lesson, students explore how marine debris affects marine life. Internet resources are provided.

Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science instructional activity, students investigate data from the International Coastal Cleanup, identify sources of marine debris, and discover the impacts of this...

Students explore the causes of water pollution. In this environmental lesson, students conduct experiments with natural filtration systems.

Using a magnifier, mini marine biologists examine the barbules of a bird feather. They swirl the it into a mixture of oil and water and then re-examine the feather. After the activity, discuss how the oily feathers pose a problem to...

Third graders discss water pollution and its affects on animals. They watch a demonstration using a plastic fish in a fish bowl in which various types of water pollution are illustrated.

In this environmental problems and solutions worksheet, students are given a list of 25 environmental problems. They match them with a given solution and paste the matching pairs to a piece of construction paper.

Students investigate human impact on coastal environments. In this coastal environment lesson, students observe human impact on coastal environments. Students sort, classify, and chart marine debris collected on a local beach.

Students study the Pacific salmon and see the different challenges they face.  In this environment lesson students complete several activities that show how humans have affected the salmon environment. These activities have varying...

There are so many topics touched upon in this Jeopardy-style science game, that it is difficult to classify! The categories include electricity, matter, ecology, earth and space, and scientific investigation. This would best be used at...

Students investigate the importance of ocean resources and what humans need to do to maintain a healthy ocean.  In this oceans lesson students participate in an activity after viewing a PowerPoint presentation on the Earth's...

Students go on a field trip to the Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant and learn about sewage, waste, and pollution. In this treatment plant lesson plan, students also complete collection samples of quadrats.

Students explore sources of  pollution runoff and actions that can be taken to reduce runoff.  In this pollution lesson students complete a worksheet and see why bio-essays may provide a more realistic picture of toxicity.

Students build and experiment with a watershed to understand the effects of pollution. In this movement of water instructional activity, students work in groups creating rock formations and change the viscosity of the liquids falling...

Learners perform experiments to examine if debris float, or blow in the wind. The effects of these characteristics on the marine debris are then discussed. They determine how a material can influence what becomes marine debris.

To better understand how solar power can aid in creating desalinated drinking water, the class creates a model still. They will build a model of a solar still, make observations, and discuss how the process works. While the idea behind...

In this Gulf oil spill worksheet, students examine a 4-page article regarding basic facts about the oil spill as well as photographs of clean-up efforts.

Six different lessons comprise this unit on marine debris. Science, language arts, social studies, and art projects make this an ideal interdisciplinary unit. The result will be well-informed future citizens who can help make a...

In this English activity, students read "Hawaii Hit by Great Plastic Garbage Patch," and then respond to 1 essay, 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 2 graphic organizer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions...

Learners recognize that one source of drinking water is ground water located in aquifers. They create a model of an aquifer and summarize their experience in a report.

Students comprehend the four parameters of water quality. They perform tests for salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and clarity or turbidity. Students comprehend why scientists and environmental managers monitor water uality and aquatic...

In this grade 5 social studies worksheet, 5th graders complete a set of 11 questions about a variety of 5th grade concepts. An answer key is included.

A deep look at ocean circulation returns a surprise: Currents transport water - and non-degradable, floating plastic - between the ocean basins. Thus, some of the plastic in the South Atlantic "garbage gyre" was actually thrown away in...