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Description

SDG14 - Marine Debris (STEAM)

1. Learn what marine debris is and why it is a problem.
2. Be able to identify sources of marine debris, and ways that individuals can reduce this.

Senior Branch/Leaders
3. Understand what microplastics are and why scientists are so concerned about them

Resources

- Gloves
- Rubbish Bag
- Optional- Litter picker

Optional activity for Senior Branch and Leaders:
- Sieve
- Coffee filter paper
- Several clear jars/glasses
- Sample of sand, mud, or water from local waterway/seashore
- 2 large containers (big enough for your sieve)
- Magnifying glass/microscope (if available)

Instructions

Introduction / Icebreakers
What is marine debris? And why is it so important?

Watch YouTube video on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HBtl4sHTqU&ab_channel=Seeker

Activity 1
Discussion & Infographics

1) Where do things go when we throw them ‘away’?
2) How can we reduce the marine debris that we produce?

Then, Do a litter pick in your local area. Looking at what you’ve collected, where has this debris come from and how could you make changes to prevent this type of rubbish entering into the ocean?

Take a photo of what you collect and share it on social media with at least one way you can reduce marine
debris. Use the ‘Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ motto to help guide you.

Activity 2
Senior Branch/Leaders

We’ll also learn about microplastics. What are they and why are scientists so concerned about them https://www.youtube.com/watchv=ZHCgAn5wRw&ab_channel=NationalGeographic

Either:
A) Create a fun way to share your concerns about microplastics with your peers (Social media, song, puzzle etc.)
B) Do the following experiment to look for microplastics/small plastics in your local environment.

Procedure:
1- Collect a sample of sand, mud, or water from local waterway/seashore. Can also be taken from a park etc.
2- Place the sieve above one of your large containers. Carefully, pour your sample into the sieve. You may need to rinse it with water as you go.
3- Once you have sieved all your sample, place what you have collected in the sieve into a jar. If you have multiple sieve mesh sizes available, you can start with the largest and repeat these steps until you reach the smallest mesh size.
4- Lastly, place the coffee filter paper into your sieve, and that above your clean large container. The coffee filter paper has VERY small holes and will collect even smaller pieces of microplastics. Slowly, pour your sample (what
is in the bottom of the large container) into the coffee filter paper. This may take some time and you may not
need to pour through all of your sample. When you are finished or are satisfied the filter paper has captured enough, remove the filter paper and open it out.
What can you see? You may want to use a magnifying glass or a microscope if you have one available.
Microplastics can be fibers, foam, fragments, microbeads and nurdles (See infographic).
Which ones can you see in your sample?

Debrief/Discussion
Included in each activity

Acknowledgement/Source
The Swim series by Seeker- YouTube video.
National Geographic- YouTube video
Lake Ontario waterkeeper Canada- infographic
cleancoasts.org0- infographic
Shannon Lauchlan

Tags

• COVID 19
• Marine life
• Octagon 2021
• online activity
• SDG14
• Social distanced activity
• STEM

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