This video from Oceana is about throwaway plastic pollution in our oceans and the dangers it can cause to humans, marine life, and the planet.
Students will learn about microplastics, the limits of recycling, global solutions, and action steps individuals can take.
Teaching Tips
Positives
It discusses successful initiatives implemented by governments and corporations to reduce throwaway plastic pollution.
The description links to the #BreakFreeFromPlastic movement, where students can learn more about how to get involved.
Additional Prerequisites
The video mentions microplastics in things like beer, water, honey, sea salt, and the air we breathe, which some students might find discomforting or surprising.
Students should understand the importance of biodiversity and how plastic pollution disrupts the aquatic food chain.
Differentiation
Students in art classes can make posters about reducing throwaway plastic pollution in our schools and in our oceans.
Plastic pollution is extensively discussed in this video. The impact of plastic pollution on the ocean and its resources has been projected. This is factual, and also, the resource explored measures implemented by various government agencies and programs to limit plastic production and pollution. It also articulated the need for behavioral change such as the #BreakFreeFromPlastic campaign to ensure people understand the impact of plastic pollution and do not consume products made from plastics anymore. This is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-4 Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Geography
D2.Geo.4.6-8 Explain how cultural patterns and economic decisions influence environments and the daily lives of people in both nearby and distant places.
Dimension 4: Taking Informed Action
D4.7.6-8 Assess their individual and collective capacities to take action to address local, regional, and global problems, taking into account a range of possible levers of power, strategies, and potential outcomes.
