TEACHER MATERIALS
How does surface water contamination in our local area impact downstream environments?
“The Butterfly Effect”
In this activity, the students will consider the potential for small actions to create big changes. Begin this activity by showing the students a video that illustrates “the butterfly effect.” Later on in the activity, you will need to read (or at least flip through) the children’s picture book What if Everybody Did That? If you are unable to obtain a physical copy of the book, simply show the students the provided read-aloud video.
“Brainstorm: How Does Trash Travel?”
In this activity, the students will learn about how trash ends up in bodies of water. After they brainstorm about this question for a few minutes, you will show them a video that will reveal the answer. You may also want to give the students access to an infographic that summarizes the information in the video, as well as a webpage that explains how storm drains work.
“How Trash Gets Into Creeks” infographic
“When it comes to stormwater pollution, sharing is NOT caring” webpage
“Local Geography and Trash Pollution”
In this activity, the students will study a lakeshore cleanup event through physical and human geographic lenses. First, the students will watch a video about the lakeshore cleanup and fill out the first section of an accompanying handout. Then, they will read a webpage that offers information about the negative effects of trash pollution in bodies of water. Then, they will watch the video again and fill out the second section of their handout. Some additional sources are provided if you want to expand this activity.
“Fontana Lakeshore Cleanup” video
Fontana Dam Lakeshore Cleanup” handout
“Impacts of Mismanaged Trash” webpage
Additional sources
- “Great Lakes Threatened by Plastic Pollution” – an expert explains the dangers of microplastics
- “The Impact of Plastic Pollution on Wildlife” – describes the negative effects of trash pollution on wildlife in waterway habitats
Map Studies – Identifying Local Bodies of Water
In this activity, the students will study maps of their community and consider how improper waste disposal could affect local bodies of water. During the activity, the students will fill out a handout using Google Maps. At the end of the activity, you may want to give the students a pop quiz to gauge how much they learned.
“Introduction to Marine Debris Tracker”
In this activity, the students will discover the Marine Debris Tracker mission and familiarize themselves with the app. First, the students will watch two videos on the Marine Debris Tracker website. Then, they will download the app and play around with it.
“Trash Pollution in the Ocean”
In this activity, the students will learn about the trash pollution problems that our oceans are currently facing. First, the students will watch a video about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and fill out a corresponding handout. Then, they 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, the students will trace the routes that connect local bodies of water to the ocean. First, they will read a webpage that contains information about watersheds and downstream flowage. Then, they will use the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Water Prediction map to fill out a handout. Finally, the students will take a pop quiz about what they learned.
“Watersheds and Drainage Basins” webpage
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Water Prediction map