This video discusses the impact of plastic pollution on the environment, using Louisiana's Cancer Alley as an example.
Students learn about the consequences of emissions from plastic manufacturing, how plastic is made and the steps to reduce plastic pollution.
Teaching Tips
Positives
Eye-catching graphics accompany this video.
Highlights the effects of plastic pollution on public health.
Explains why recycling plastic is not an adequate solution.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should know about climate change.
Students should know what fossil fuels are.
There is a commercial in this video.
Differentiation
Teachers can use from 1:23-2:10 of this video to explain the relationship between plastics and fossil fuels and how plastic is made to 3rd-5th graders.
Teachers can use from 4:09-6:23 to further explain the impact of plastic pollution.
Part 5:14-5:25 can be played as an introduction to a discussion about the effects of emissions on public health.
Teachers can use 6:25-8:31 to open a class discussion about plastic recycling and its role in mitigating or aggravating plastic pollution.
Click here for a guide to reduce plastic use while shopping.
Click here for more on humans' impact on the environment.
Click here for an StC lesson plan on Cancer Alley.
Scientist Notes
This resource is suitable to inspire students' curiosity to understand the plastic production process and the need to advocate for companies to pay for the environmental and social costs of plastic production and pollution. This is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.
National Health Education Standards
Standard 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
1.12.3 Analyze how environment and personal health are interrelated.
