How trash moves around the ocean (Primary) - Lesson One
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Lesson duration is: 45 minIntroduction
Lesson One – How does trash enter the ocean and rivers?
This lesson covers the different ways trash enters the ocean.
Learning activities:
Writing and discussion exercises on what has been learned.
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.
What pollution can you find
in the ocean?
in the ocean?
Slide 3 - Mind map
Ask students “What do you think pollution is, and which types of pollution do you think you will find in the ocean?”
Ocean pollution comes in many different forms, from chemicals, oil spills, noise pollution, fishing gear, wood, metal, glass and paper to plastics.
Ocean pollution comes in many different forms, from chemicals, oil spills, noise pollution, fishing gear, wood, metal, glass and paper to plastics.
Slide 4 - Slide
Ask students “How do you think pollution ends up in the ocean?”
Slide 5 - Slide
Down the drain: Some plastics and chemicals are washed down household drains. For example, micro plastics like micro beads, glitter and microfibers from clothes, and cleaning products.
Dumped on streets, parks, or school grounds: The wind or rain blows and moves it into stormwater drains, creeks and rivers, eventually leading to the ocean.
Ask students for examples of what they think goes down the drain or is dumped on the ground?
Dumped on streets, parks, or school grounds: The wind or rain blows and moves it into stormwater drains, creeks and rivers, eventually leading to the ocean.
Ask students for examples of what they think goes down the drain or is dumped on the ground?
Slide 6 - Slide
Left on beaches: Visitors to beaches leave behind their rubbish, which is washed into the ocean with the tide, or blown into the ocean by the wind.
Some tourist destinations are island nations with limited ability to manage waste. Visiting tourists leave behind their waste for locals to remove. Rubbish dumps are close to the water and the waste could wash into the ocean during storms.
Some tourist destinations are island nations with limited ability to manage waste. Visiting tourists leave behind their waste for locals to remove. Rubbish dumps are close to the water and the waste could wash into the ocean during storms.
Ask students for examples on what they think might be left on beaches.
Slide 7 - Slide
Pollution can be intentionally dumped into the ocean by individuals or companies in order to save money. Instead of disposing of rubbish or chemicals properly it is dumped into waterways or directly into the ocean.
Dumped by factories
Not all countries are set up with proper waste or hazard management facilities. There are still areas where factories simply dump their waste, chemicals and rubbish into rivers.
Dumped into waterways by communities
Not all countries are set up with proper household waste management facilities. When there are no waste removal procedures in place, communities will dump their rubbish into rivers for it to be taken away.
Dumped by factories
Not all countries are set up with proper waste or hazard management facilities. There are still areas where factories simply dump their waste, chemicals and rubbish into rivers.
Dumped into waterways by communities
Not all countries are set up with proper household waste management facilities. When there are no waste removal procedures in place, communities will dump their rubbish into rivers for it to be taken away.
Slide 8 - Slide
Dumped overboard from ships – cruise ships
While cruise ships are required to manage their waste and offload it in port, some are still dumping their waste overboard when in international waters, where nobody is watching. Dumping at sea saves them money.
Lost overboard from cargo ships – during storms containers fall overboard.
During severe weather and rough seas, it is possible for shipping containers to come loose and topple overboard. These may sink or break open and the contents gets into the ocean and may wash up on beaches.
While cruise ships are required to manage their waste and offload it in port, some are still dumping their waste overboard when in international waters, where nobody is watching. Dumping at sea saves them money.
Lost overboard from cargo ships – during storms containers fall overboard.
During severe weather and rough seas, it is possible for shipping containers to come loose and topple overboard. These may sink or break open and the contents gets into the ocean and may wash up on beaches.
How else does pollution end up in the ocean?
Slide 9 - Open question
Ask students if they can think of any other ways pollution ends up in the ocean?
Slide 10 - Slide
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Slide 11 - Slide
Refer Teachers Guide for Learning Activities.
Slide 12 - Slide
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