S1-30009
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
What's the real problem with trash? The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. Marine debris is litter that ends up in oceans, seas, and other large bodies of water. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also known as the Pacific trash vortex, spans waters from the West Coast of North America to Japan.
Activity Time
STEM Concept
Subject & Grades
Problem-Solving
15
minutes
All
K-5th
Connections between STEM Concepts, Learning Targets and Standards
Learning Objective
Students will identify and apply problem-solving techniques to solve problems.
Students will understand how these skills relate to their confidence and success.
Success Criteria
Students will be able to explain the steps involved in problem-solving.
Students can identify and use the appropriate problem-solving technique.
Students can apply problem-solving techniques to arrive at a solution.
Pathway 6: Students collaborate to explore genuine inquiries throughout their studies.
Pathways 7: Students learn STEM/STEAM independently with the guidance of skilled educators who facilitate their learning effectively.
Pathway 11: Presentations serve as evidence that STEM culture is being implemented.
Pathway 14: STEM/STEAM students use research to support claims, collect evidence, analyze data, and use evidence-based arguments to ensure daily integration of STEM concepts.
Activity Introduction
Garbage goes to landfills, correct? No, not all garbage ends up in landfills. In fact our oceans are “littered” with trash and this directly impacts the ecosystem of the oceans and the quality of seafood that we consume. As you watch the video think about ways to solve this problem. As of today - there aren’t any fully effective ways to prevent the patches getting bigger or any effective ways to clean them up.
[Click image to enlarge]
Prompts for group activities
Where does all the trash come from?
How does it end up in the ocean?
Does it affect the animals of the oceans?
Is there anyone helping to stop the problem?
Who do you believe has a responsibility to clean it up?
Is it a problem for the world, or just for certain countries?
What solutions can you think of, and how do you know they would be effective?
Step 1: Watch the video
How Big The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Really Is
Activity Tips
Remind the students to write down words they don’t understand or questions that immediately come to mind about the topic they’re watching.
Tell them to be ready to share with their group.
Step 2:
Group Session
After the video, divide students into groups of 3 or 4 and let the students begin their discussions while you circulate; it’s all about what THEY think and feel. Ask them to listen carefully to their friends as they might have different opinions to them.
Step 3:
Assessment
Ask the students
Ask the students who they believe the best listeners and best team players are from this activity?
Ask them to justify their answers in a simple sentence.
Explain to them that the idea is everyone improves both their listening and teamwork skills over time.
Ask the students to summarize the video in 6-8 words only.