Why is there trash in the ocean? - Lesson Two
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Lesson duration is: 45 minIntroduction
Lesson 2 – Which plastics is that?
This lesson covers:
• Learn about the types of plastics – hard, soft and microplastics.
• Discuss with the students which products are made from plastic.
Learning activities:
• Find out what types of plastics they use at home.
• Writing and drawing exercises on what they learned.
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Instructions
Time: 45 minutes
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2022
Instructions
Items in this lesson
Slide 1 - Slide
This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd is a marine conservation organisation with a mission to protect the ocean and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the ocean, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. Ocean pollution is one issue Sea Shepherd is working on.
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During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.
Slide 3 - Slide
Most of the trash found in the ocean is plastic. Up to 90% (9 out of 10 pieces) of marine debris is believed to be plastic.
Ask students “What items are made of plastic?”
Ask students “What items are made of plastic?”
Slide 4 - Slide
There are actually thousands of types of plastics made today, all with a specific purpose in mind. Most are made from chemical substances that, when put in water, could leak chemicals into the environment. That means the water could become harmful to wildlife.
One kind of plastic we see are hard plastics – which means it keeps its shape if you try to squeeze it. Like plastic bottles and containers.
Ask students “Can you name items made from hard plastics?”
One kind of plastic we see are hard plastics – which means it keeps its shape if you try to squeeze it. Like plastic bottles and containers.
Ask students “Can you name items made from hard plastics?”
Slide 5 - Slide
Another type of plastic is soft plastic – these items will change shape. Like food packaging that you see at the store, like plastic bags and wraps.
Ask students “Can you name items made from soft plastics?”
Ask students “Can you name items made from soft plastics?”
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Microplastics are very tiny pieces of plastic. Microplastics are made when bigger pieces of plastics break up into tiny pieces over time.
There are also items of plastic that are already small pieces:
A lot of clothing is made of plastic. When these clothes are washed, small pieces of plastic start to break off and are washed down the drain. These are called microfibers.
Nurdles are small plastic pellets that are used to manufacture plastic products. This way the plastic is easier to transport and to shape into various items. When containers full of plastic pellets are lost at sea, these plastic pellets are often found washing up on beaches and coastlines.
A lot of clothing is made of plastic. When these clothes are washed, small pieces of plastic start to break off and are washed down the drain. These are called microfibers.
Nurdles are small plastic pellets that are used to manufacture plastic products. This way the plastic is easier to transport and to shape into various items. When containers full of plastic pellets are lost at sea, these plastic pellets are often found washing up on beaches and coastlines.
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Ask students “Why is plastic harmful for marine wildlife?”
Think about baleen whales and how they scoop up their food from the ocean. Now imagine if the whale goes to scoop up food and instead it scoops up a mouth full of plastic rubbish – plastic bags, bottles, food packaging, balloons, and small pieces of plastic.
Ask students and discuss:
Ø Would that be bad for the whale?
Ø Do you think the whale would be expecting to find plastic instead of krill or fish?
Think about baleen whales and how they scoop up their food from the ocean. Now imagine if the whale goes to scoop up food and instead it scoops up a mouth full of plastic rubbish – plastic bags, bottles, food packaging, balloons, and small pieces of plastic.
Ask students and discuss:
Ø Would that be bad for the whale?
Ø Do you think the whale would be expecting to find plastic instead of krill or fish?
Slide 8 - Slide
Every day all over the world rubbish is finding its way into the ocean. It is estimated that this rubbish amounts to more than one garbage truck every 40 seconds dumping trash in the ocean – imagine all that rubbish floating in the ocean.
Teacher’s note: Over 12 million tonnes of trash is finding its way into the ocean each year.
Teacher’s note: Over 12 million tonnes of trash is finding its way into the ocean each year.
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