Introduction
In this webquest you will investigate the state of our oceans all around the world and will go in deep with the state of our local beaches and plastic pollution. Once you have seen what is the situation, you will have to organize a local beach clean.
Let's think about the state of our oceans
Take a moment to think about our sea. When you go walking in the street, do you see rubbish on the floor? Where does this rubbish end? When you go to the beach, is it always clean? What is the strangest thing you have found in the beach? How do you think this rubbish affects the sea animals and our oceans?
In this webquest you will explore the state of our oceans to be aware of its state. You will also learn about the importance of our actions and how they can improve the state of our oceans and our lives.
Task
You will have to complete the following tasks.
- Conduct research on state of our oceans and plastic pollution and how the rubbish we throw at our seas affect our world, including the sea animals and us.
- Identify what we can do to help clean up our oceans.
- Develop and organize a clean up beach local campaign, including making a poster with canva to get to as much people as possible in the local area.
Process
Here we go, let's first investigate a little bit about our ocean and plastic pollution. You will have to summarize all the information with a mind map, using the online tool mind mup. You will have to start off this activity with your group. Try to include why is plastic pollution a problem for our oceans, how does it affect our oceans and us and possible solutions.
So, let's learn about the harmful effects of plastic waste on our oceans and find out how each of us can help.
Here you have a link to National Geographic Kids that can help in seeing the dimension of the problem:
- https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/primary-resource/plastic-pollution-primary-resource/
Here you have a video about the fight with plastic pollution:
- https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/primary-resource/plastic-pollution-primary-resource/
Poster: plastic in not fantastic
- https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-02/WWF_Plastics_Explainer.pdf
Plastic pollution facts
- https://www.intelligenthanddryers.com/blog/plastic-pollution-facts-for-kids
Cleaning up the garbage patches: is it a possible solution?
- https://theoceancleanup.com/oceans/
Here you can find some information about why is plastic a problem and how does it harm animals and us. You will also find information about "trash islands"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/42810179
Now that you have some information about the state of our oceans, what is plastic pollution and how does it affects to animals and us, identify what we can do to help from our local city. See examples of what other schools have done to clean up our oceans and reduce waste.
Watch this video about how kids take action against ocean plastic pollution.
Answer these questions with your group:
- What is the problem they present?
- What is the solution they propose?
- How do they "take action"?
Watch these two videos about kids and adults taking action and cleaning their local beaches. Why is it important that we do local actions such as clean up our beaches? Think of ways we could do the same in our local area
Now it is time for you to organize a clean up beach local campaign. First, with your group, organize a plan to get to as much people as possible in the local area. Trace a plan and develop it making a "to do" list using word office. Then, make a list of arguments of how could you convince people to join in and help. Once you have a to do list of how you would organize a clean up beach campaign and how would you convince your audience, make a poster using the canva.
Here you have a short video tutorial of how to make a poster.
Let's get this done!
Evaluation
|
|
Beginning |
Developing |
Qualified |
Exemplary |
Score |
|
Problem based learning |
Composition is too brief, contains errors, and based only on opinion. |
Evidence of one resource is included in student composition. Composition is fluent but needs to be developed. |
Two resources were consulted, and their information woven into a developing composition. |
Error free composition based on three or more resources. |
|
|
Mind map |
Mind map contains errors and is based only on opinion. |
One relevant source was used to the mind map. |
Two sources were used to develop the mind map. |
Well-supported mind map with details. Strong clear justification. |
|
|
Identification of what we can do to help |
No evidence of brainstorming. Poor answers to ocean plastic pollution questions. Poor organized clean up beach plan. |
Brainstorming shows sufficient depth. Well answered plastic pollution questions. Sufficient organized clean up beach plan. |
Incompletely explained but novel ideas. Very well answered plastic pollution questions. Well organized clean up beach plan. |
Novel idea, extensive brainstorming, thoughtful reflective ideas on needed changes. Very well answered plastic pollution questions. Very well structured clean up beach plan. |
|
|
Group work |
Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. May refuse to participate. |
Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in the classroom discussion. A satisfactory group member who does what is required. |
Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in the classroom discussion. A strong group member who tries hard. |
Routinely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in the classroom discussion. A definite leader who contributes a lot of effort. |
|
|
Final product: The poster |
Misses important information. Design is poor and not well structured. |
Includes some of the important information but misses detail. Design is sufficient. |
Includes important information but does not go in deep detail of important issues. Design is attractive and well structured. |
Expert input was identified in the information organization and design of the poster. Includes relevant information and design is incredibly attractive and catchy to the eye. |
Conclusion
You have finished the webquest and hopefully you and your group will have gained a greater understanding of plastic pollution and the state of our oceans. Now that you have organized with your group a clean up local campaign, it's time to assess how it went, if you could reach lots of locals to join you clean the beach, how much rubbish you cleaned, and so on... Let's talk about how it went:
- How many people did join in?
- How much rubbish did we take?
- How could we improve the next beach clean up?
Credits
Anna Ros
English primary school teacher