Debris Dilemma

This resource uses a video lesson, a fast-paced interactive game, and a group activity to highlight the ongoing problems that plastics and other forms of garbage create for marine environments and the animals that live there.

After watching a powerful video produced by Jean-Michel Cousteau, called "Trash On the Spin Cycle", students discover what causes huge quantities of land-based garbage to end up in one of the most remote parts of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. It encourages individuals and communities to recycle plastics, bottles and cans to reduce the amount of solid waste headed to landfills and into our waterways.

One post-video activity is a web-based game called "Kure Waste Chase", in which students are environmental heroes ridding the island of Kure of dangerous debris while at the same time learning about the ecosystems they are trying to save. Playing the role of a volunteer on an ocean adventures team, students visit the beaches of Kure Atoll(on ATVs), the surface water surrounding the atoll (on Zodiacs), and underwater coral reefs neighboring the atoll(with SCUBA gear) . They score points for collecting garbage, but also complete location data sheets, marine data sheets, and species data sheets. The collected data is analyzed, put into Venn Diagrams and compiled in a report. Students are then asked to write a story on the "life cycle of marine debris" and present it to the class as a skit or through illustrations.

In the culminating activity "You Are What You Eat- Plastics and Marine Life", students examine how plastics are used in everyday life, study the different types of plastic, and perform an activity which shows how the feeding areas of marine animals (surface, pelagic, and benthic) are affected by different types of plastic.

Lessons include discussion questions, handouts, data collection sheets, and teacher answer keys.

Question	Response
To enhance this resource the following changes would be beneficial:	Organize a class, school or community clean-up of a local waterway or shoreline Post the stories/illustrations created by students in the Kure Chase Waste lesson on the school website Organize a school event for "Oceans Day", to bring attention to the issue of land-based garbage invading marine eco-systems Invite a guest speaker from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to discuss the effect of pollution on the local habitats of marine animals Invite a speaker from a First Nations community to discuss TEK with regards to protecting ocean ecosystems Visit a local landfill/waste management facility in your area
To enhance this resource the following changes are strongly recommended:	Needs to have an authentic action plan involving an out-of-doors experience Assessment tools are lacking Accommodations must be provided for struggling readers/learners There should be more opportunities for students to clarify and express values
What skills does this resource explicitly teach?	Working cooperatively with group members to carry out a plan Analyzing and interpreting patterns in data Communicating data effectively by using mathematical/statistical calculations Identifying main themes Displaying data in a variety of formats Using a variety of sources and technologies to gather information Responding to media text Engaging in and responding to oral presentations

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Principle	Rating	Explanation
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives	Good	A positive biased towards the importance of decreasing land-based garbage from entering marine ecosystems exists. Students gather facts and information and draw their own conclusions.
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions	Good	The resource links the environmental issue of human impacts on marine ecosystems with consumer choices and waste disposal techniques used by society. Decreasing these impacts requires lifestyle choices to change and has financial implications.
Respects Complexity	Good	Although not examining all aspects of the issue, it promotes dialogue and the exploration of issues through video, class discussions, interactive games and group activities.
Acting on Learning	Poor/Not considered	Poor- there is no authentic action experience
Values Education	Satisfactory	The resource does give students some opportunities to do self-reflection and identify their values.
Empathy & Respect for Humans	Satisfactory	The possible destruction of marine habitats could have implications for humans. This builds empathy for those who live near and around the North Pacific Hawaiian islands.
Personal Affinity with Earth	Good	Although no practical out-of doors experience is included in the lesson, the resource does encourage a personal affinity with non-humans and the Earth. The video is powerful and compelling and will certainly build empathy for those marine creatures and ecosystems that are affected by human impacts.
Locally-Focused Learning	Good	This resource has local focus as all households make decisions about consumption and waste-disposal practices. It could encourage them to be even more vigilant in their waste sorting/recycling practices.
Past, Present & Future	Satisfactory	Present day situations are observed and evaluated with students encouraged to play a role in implementing solutions. The future is seen as positive if students begin to promote and model change.

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Principle	Rating	Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction	Satisfactory	Students are able to discover some of the answers on their own, although often steered in the 'right' direction by the teacher.
Integrated Learning	Good	Although primary a science lesson, learning opportunities are also included for math, art and language arts.
Inquiry Learning	Good	Both the powerful video clip and the interactive game are unique learning experiences.
Differentiated Instruction	Satisfactory	Activities that teach to both the cognitive and affective domains are included. No suggestions are given for differentiated instruction or accommodation for struggling learners/readers. Some changes would be required for the report following the Kure Waste Chase game. Appropriate grouping could help with some of these issues.
Experiential Learning	Satisfactory
Cooperative Learning	Satisfactory
Assessment & Evaluation	Poor/Not considered	Poor- Although previewing, viewing and post-viewing questions are provided, no rubrics or suggestions are provided for assessment especially with the Kure Waste Chase report, and the You Are What You Eat plastics activity. Asseesment tools must be developed by the teacher.
Peer Teaching	Satisfactory
Case Studies	Very Good	The video clip is a powerful & visual case study. Many more are found via links.
Locus of Control	Satisfactory	Although the resource is quite specific with regards to program content and the medium in which they work, students do have opportunities in post lesson activities and resource links to delve deeper into issues of they choose.

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Debris Dilemma

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General Assessment

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Debris Dilemma

Print this review

Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

Exemplary
Classroom
Resources

Reviewed By Teachers
For Teachers