5th – 8th Grade
5th – 8th Grade
Don’t Be a Beach Bum
Stem the Tides of Trash
Reduce Waste through Responsible Living
Spread the Word about Marine Debris
Additional Information Resources
Wet or Dry Magic Fork Experiment
Little Stuff Wins Over Gravity Experiment
Spinning Yo-Yo Experiment
Island Survival
Where Does the Trash Go?

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Spread the Word about Marine Debris

Discussion
Review facts from the first two lessons and discuss how to find additional information about marine debris.

Activity
Students will work in groups to create a public service announcement (PSA) about the topics of marine debris, waste reduction and responsible living.

Talk About It.
Review the facts about marine debris from Lesson 1 and emphasize the points about what people can do to help:

  • Dispose of trash properly to reduce the amount of trash that gets washed into waterways from storm drains.
  • Reduce, reuse and recycle to minimize the amount of waste generated overall.
  • Cut the rings of plastic six-pack holders to lower the risk of injury to animals, just in case the holders do one day end up in the rivers, lakes or oceans.
  • Avoid outdoor balloon launches, which generate trash that can be particularly hazardous to wildlife in oceans and on land.
  • Participate in local clean-ups at beaches, rivers and parks.
  • Buy recycled products — as well as products that are packaged in recycled/recyclable materials.
  • Learn about, support and participate in any local recycling and composting programs.
  • Identify local areas with high amounts of litter. Discuss how this could be reduced.

Learn About It.
Introduce and define a Public Service Announcement (PSA) with the students. Remind students that PSAs must grab the attention of the audience and present a clear message in an appropriate and memorable way. And they must be brief! Most PSAs are 30 seconds or less.

  1. Divide students into groups and devote one class period for students to research, brainstorm and plan their PSAs. Groups can choose to create a PSA for TV or radio.
  2. The next class period, have student groups present live versions of their PSAs.
  3. After the presentations are concluded, ask students which PSAs were most effective and why.
  4. Discuss other ways to build awareness and action about the problem of marine debris.

Variations
Have students actually record audio/video versions of their PSAs and air them on the school's public address or closed circuit television system. Or, inquire about submitting the PSAs for airing on local community television and radio stations.

Have students create print PSAs — brochures or posters — about the issue of marine debris. These could be displayed in the school, local libraries or community centers.

Examples of Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
For examples of PSAs, go to these web sites:

Activity Summary

Content Areas Objective Materials Time

Ecology

Research

Communication

To encourage students to apply what they've learned about marine debris, waste reduction and recycling.
  • Library or computers with internet access for research.
  • Poster board and art materials, if desired, for props and visuals.

One or more class periods for research, followed by one or more class periods for presentation of the PSAs, depending on class size.