plastic trash washed up from the ocean

An Ocean of Plastic

Using the five gyres of plastic pollution as a springboard, this activity encourages participants to explore the issues surrounding trash in our oceans and to develop solutions.

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5 Minute Changemaker: Say No to Plastic Straws

by Marsha Rakestraw Plastic straws are one of those little things we don’t think much about. We pop them in our to-go drinks. Restaurants often automatically include them with our beverages. They’re readily available at restaurants, bars, cafeterias, special events, and so on. But ask this turtle and all the other sea animals, and they’ll…

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plastic pollution

I Taught Kindergarteners About Plastic Pollution, and They Are Eager to Be Part of the Solution

by Elizabeth O. Crawford, Ph.D. During Earth Week 2018, I was a guest presenter to kindergarteners attending Island Montessori School (IMS) located in the beautiful, coastal town of Wilmington, North Carolina. As teacher educators often remark, classroom visits rejuvenate and inspire our work preparing the next generation of educators. When we spend time with children…

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Whale breaching the ocean's surface

Whale’s Stomach

Students learn about the impact of our “throwaway society” by exploring all the different kinds of trash found in a whale’s stomach. Recommended for grades 3-8. Time: 15-45 minutes   Common Core Standards for this activity (pdf): Download Common Core for grades 3-5. Download Common Core for grades 6-8.   Find out how some of…

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Whale breaching the ocean's surface

El Estómago de La Ballena

Los estudiantes aprenden sobre el impacto de nuestra “sociedad de usar y tirar” explorando todos los diferentes tipos de basura encontró en el estómago de una ballena. Recomendado para grados 3-8 Duración: 15-45 minutos

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Haciendo Conexiones, Creando Soluciones

Haciendo Conexiones, Creando Soluciones

Esta actividad ayuda a los estudiantes a pensar en cómo estamos todos conectados y de que manera nuestras acciones impactan a otros y al medio ambiente, e motiva a los estudiantes a aprender más acerca de los problemas y temas que les interesan y crear soluciones para resolver los cambios locales y globales. Recomendado para…

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