Environmental Learning Outside the Classroom (ELOC)€¦ · Topic: Marine debris Grade level: 5 thto 12 Estimated time for activity: Lecture: 15-20 minutes, Activity: 30-60 minutes

Environmental Learning Outside the Classroom (ELOC)

This guidebook provides lesson ideas and activities to get students engaged with outdoor learning.

Created by the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS), an extension arm of the University of Puerto Rico’s Sea Grant College Program.

For more information, contact:Howard Forbes Jr. (VIMAS Coordinator)

ph: 340-693-1672/340-513-7203E-mail: [email protected]

Website: vimas.uvi.edu

VIMAS Lesson PlanIn

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n Topic: Marine debrisGrade level: 5th to 12th

Estimated time for activity: Lecture: 15-20 minutes, Activity: 30-60 minutes

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Purpose:To teach students what marine debris is, where it comes from, and ways you can prevent its negative impacts on both theenvironment and its inhabitants.

Students will be actively engaged in discussion about endangered species. Students should be able to identify what marine debris is and where it comes from. Student involvement in activities such as beach cleanups should increase.

NOOA’s Marine Debris Programhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmnz-8p0AB0http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/international-coastal-cleanup/

Procedure:Students will be given a small lecture and briefing on the material. Then they will be engaged activities centered around marine debris education.

Marine Debris

Marine debris is any manufactured solid material that enters

the marine environment whether

intentionally or unintentionally. It can

have serious consequences to both

humans and marine/terrestrial life.

What is marine debris?

Discussion topicWhere do you think most marine debris comes from? What are some of the impacts of marine debris? What can you do to prevent marine debris?

Marine Debris

Beach-goers may bring items with them. Sometimes, they may leave some of

these items behind which can end up in the marine environment.

Where does marine debris come from?

If garbage bins aren’t routinely emptied, their contents can spill over into the

nearby environment where it will have negative impacts.

Marine Debris

Impacts of marine debris

Marine wildlife can be entrapped by marine debris, preventing them from moving. Some turtles for example eat jellyfish, however; this can easily be mistaken floating plastic bag.

Rank Debris Items Number of Pieces of

Debris

Percentage of Total

Debris

1. Cigarettes/cigarette filters 1,773 8.2%

2. Bags (plastic) 951 4.4%

3. Food wrappers/containers 2,430 11.2%

4. Beverage bottles (plastic), 2 liters

or less

3,406 15.7%

5. Caps, lids 3,673 16.9%

6. Bags (paper 591 2.7%

7. Straws, stirrers 1,848 8.5%

8. Grocery Bags (plastic) 1,126 5.2%

9. Beverage bottles (glass) 3,381 15.6%

10. Beverage cans 2,541 11.7%

Total Top 10 Debris Items USVI: 21,720 0.3%

Total Debris Items Worldwide: 8,005,334 100%

International Coastal Cleanup

The Ocean Conservancy gathers volunteers from countries all over the world to clean up debris from the ocean and surrounding land. This table lists the type and amount of debris found along Virgin Islands’ coasts during the cleanup day in 2013.

Marine Debris Twister

Instructions:Make your own twister mat using stencils (for a turtle, fish, and a bird), spray paint (red, blue, yellow, and green), and masking tape. Your spinner should have an extra icon for plastic items. One student will spin the spinner wheel like you normally would in Twister and the remainder of the students will attempt to place that specified body part on the designated color. Should a plastic item be selected from the spinner, a plastic bottle filled with rocks (for weight) will be placed on the mat to simulate marine debris. Touching any of these bottles or falling down will result in elimination of that player. Last person remaining wins!

Beach Cleanup

Fun Activity: Beach cleanupStudents should be divided into groups and given trash bags, gloves, data entry forms, and pencils. Each group will pick up as much trash as they can find whilst recording the type and quantity of each item collected. The group that returns after a set time with the most trash, can be awarded a prize.

Each time you go to the beach, you can log on to the following website to monitor beach quality. http://bit.ly/1KehxJb

Recycling Projects

Recycling Projects

Marine Debris Art

Fun ActivityOne of the most common items found on beaches are bottle caps and they can be used to make art. Using foam boards and glue, you can turn marine debris into something beautiful to look at.