STUDENT MATERIALS
How does surface water contamination in our local area impact downstream environments?
“Local Geography and Trash Pollution”
In this activity, you will study a lakeshore cleanup event through physical and human geographic lenses. First, you will watch a video about the lakeshore cleanup and fill out the first section of an accompanying handout. Then, you will read a webpage that offers information about the negative effects of trash pollution in bodies of water. Then, you will watch the video again and fill out the second section of your handout.
“Fontana Lakeshore Cleanup” video
Fontana Dam Lakeshore Cleanup” handout
“Impacts of Mismanaged Trash” webpage
Map Studies – Identifying Local Bodies of Water
In this activity, you will study maps of their community and consider how improper waste disposal could affect local bodies of water. During the activity, you will fill out a handout using Google Maps. At the end of the activity, your teacher may ask you to complete the pop quiz.
“Introduction to Marine Debris Tracker”
In this activity, you will discover the Marine Debris Tracker mission and familiarize yourself with the app. First, you will watch two videos on the Marine Debris Tracker website. Then, you will download the app and play around with it.
“Trash Pollution in the Ocean”
In this activity, you will learn about the trash pollution problems that our oceans are currently facing. First, you will watch a video about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and fill out a corresponding handout. Then, you will watch a video about Ocean Cleanup and fill out a corresponding handout.
“The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Is Not What You Think It Is” video
“The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Is Not What You Think It Is” handout
“Most Ocean Plastic Flows from Rivers” video
“Most Ocean Plastic Flows from Rivers” handout
“Map Studies – Traveling Trash”’
In this activity, you will trace the routes that connect local bodies of water to the ocean. First, you will read a webpage that contains information about watersheds and downstream flowage. Then, you will use the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Water Prediction map to fill out a handout. Finally, you will take a pop quiz about what you learned.
“Watersheds and Drainage Basins” webpage
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Water Prediction map