How trash moves around the ocean (Primary) - Lesson Three
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Lesson duration is: 45 minIntroduction
Lesson Three – What is a gyre?
This lesson discusses what a gyre is, and how trash is moved around the ocean.
Learning activities:
Research and discussion exercises on how currents flow into gyres and how trash is moved around.
Instructions
Time: 45 minutes
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2022
Items in this lesson
Slide 1 - Slide
This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd is a marine conservation organisation with a mission to protect the ocean and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the ocean, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. Ocean pollution is one area Sea Shepherd is addressing in order to protect marine wildlife.
Slide 2 - Slide
During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.
Slide 3 - Slide
Ask students
“Once trash is picked up by an ocean current where do you think it goes? “
“Once trash is picked up by an ocean current where do you think it goes? “
Slide 4 - Slide
Once trash enters the ocean it is picked up by the ocean currents and is moved into the gyres (pronounced jai-uh).
Gyres are areas in the ocean where currents meet, and it creates a circular movement.
Gyres are areas in the ocean where currents meet, and it creates a circular movement.
Slide 5 - Slide
There are five main gyres in the ocean, one in each area of the ocean – North & South Atlantic, North & South Pacific and Indian Ocean.
The North Pacific gyre is one of the worst with thousands of square kilometers of rubbish. It’s hard to estimate the size because much of the rubbish is floating just below the surface.
The North Pacific gyre is one of the worst with thousands of square kilometers of rubbish. It’s hard to estimate the size because much of the rubbish is floating just below the surface.
Slide 6 - Slide
The North Pacific gyre is one of the worst with thousands of square kilometers of rubbish, mainly plastics, caught in the gyre. t’s hard to estimate the size because much of the rubbish is floating just below the surface.
What happens to trash caught in the gyre?
Slide 7 - Open question
Ask students
“What do you think happens with the trash that is caught in the gyre?”
“What do you think happens with the trash that is caught in the gyre?”
Slide 8 - Slide
The trash can stay there, getting moved around by the waves. It might break up into smaller pieces over time.
It also might be moved around by weather and currents and end up being pushed back out of the gyre.
It also might be moved around by weather and currents and end up being pushed back out of the gyre.
Slide 9 - Slide
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Slide 10 - Slide
Refer Teachers Guide for Learning Activities.
