"Sea of Plastic"

• This mural in Cairns, Australia shows a sea full of single-use plastic bottles in an effort to bring awareness of the plastic waste issue.
• The artist also lists ways to limit waste and reduce plastic consumption.
  

Positives

• Students can think about their actions and how they affect others and the environment.
• Students may be inspired to create art that has a message to convey.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Students may be curious about the best ways to recycle plastic and the other materials that can be recycled. Research your local recycling provider to find out what can be recycled in your area, as it varies greatly!
• You and your students can watch this video to learn more or this video about recycling and a circular economy to provide additional context.
• Although plastic recycling needs significant improvements, other forms of recycling are very important and represent a significant way to reduce waste and address climate change.
  

Differentiation

• This mural can be used as a hook during a history or economics class showing the effects of industrialization and globalization.
• Science classes can connect this mural with lessons about pollution, the oceans, and the effects of human activities on ecosystems.
  
• In art class, students can analyze the mural using some of the following questions:
  • Why did the artist choose blue and green bottles?
  • Is the mural more powerful because it covers three sides of a building?
  • Why do you think the artist painted the horizon so far up on the building? What would have changed if she had painted it higher or lower?