Provided by: Urban Rivers |Published on: February 21, 2026
Graphs/Tables
678
Synopsis
This interactive data dashboard from Urban Rivers allows users to explore collected trash and microplastics data from the Chicago River.
Users can filter and analyze visualized datasets showing debris categories, plastic types, quantities, and trends over time to better understand water pollution and human impacts on freshwater ecosystems.
These graphs are easy to read and color-coded to help students keep track of the data.
The resource is updated often, ensuring that students are getting the most current and relevant data.
Prerequisites
Students should understand how to read graphs and charts.
Differentiation & Implementation
Students can use data from this resource as evidence for a persuasive essay or poster about the need for less single-use plastic.
Teachers can use these graphs to have students practice interpreting data.
After looking at this data, students can conduct their own research and pick up trash in a local natural area or around the school. Students can then create their own graphs to demonstrate the types of trash collected.
Students can discuss the impacts this pollution can have on the health of the river and the organisms that live in it.
This resource would pair well with this lesson on plastic pollution.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
