Ocean Trash Can Kit

Grades 7-10.

This exercise examines various types of pollutants, their sources, and their effects on the ocean, its inhabitants and the surrounding coastline. Students classify ocean pollution into five basic categories, debris, toxins, dissolved nutrients, particulates, and oil. They model the effects of ocean pollution with activities examining a variety of topics: the effect of the pH of various liquids on calcium carbonate, the effects of dilution, buffering capacity, salt and acid runoff, acid rain, the ability of water to purify itself, and oil spill clean-up. As a final project, students design and write a newsletter containing articles with pertinent pollution topics such as present laws, pollution, effects, bioaccumulation, and prevention. Requires four class periods plus research time. Additional household items including six one gallon milk containers required. Designed for 24 students work in groups of 4. WARNING: Choking Hazard. Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.