Documents and training tools from Cordell Banks Marine Debris Presentation
Background:
Save the Bay and the Service-Learning Waste Reduction Project are working together to help students connect waste reduction and litter abatement on campus and in neighborhoods to watershed, bay and ocean health.
On 10/21/2009, Jennifer Stock, the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary presented information about the impact of plastic on marine life. The presentation included information about the sources of marine debris, including plastics, and the particular challenges that plastics present to marine birds. Jennifer shared tools that teachers can use to engage students in service based research to study the sources and types of litter on campus and connections to marine life health.
Save the Bay's Watershed Curriculum is searchable by grade level and offers 29 experiential activities that are easy to teach and excellent for developing an appreciation for and understanding of the San Francisco Bay watershed. Activities focus on ecology, evolution, geology, history of human impact, and action projects.
Turning the Tide on Trash: Marine Debris Curriculum from the Environmental Protection Agency. Unit 3 of this curriculum provides information on developing solutions and spreading the word. The scope of this unit starts with worldwide efforts to prevent and reduce marine debris. It then progresses to national and local projects for both teacher and class participation.
"Ocean Literacy: The Essential Principles of Ocean Sciences" for grades K-12 highlights key science standards that can and should be taught through a focus on ocean studies The guide describes essential principles and fundamental concepts that an ocean literate citizen should know: http://coexploration.org/oceanliteracy/documents/OceanLitChart.pdf
Students can contribute to international research on Persistent Organic Pollutant contamination of the ocean by participating in Pellet Watch. Learn more about the International Pellet Watch Project here: http://www.tuat.ac.jp/~gaia/ipw/index.html
Project Kaisei studies and monitors marine debris in the Northern Pacific Gyre. Guest speakers are available to speak in classroom presentations. Learn more about Project Kaisei here: http://www.projectkaisei.org/ To arrange a classroom presentation in the Bay Area, contact: Margy Gassel, PhD., Research Scientist Phone 510-622-3166 mgassel@oehha.ca.gov
The Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program's website: http://www.cleanwaterprogram.org/schools_programsOpp.htm shares information about the Community Stewardship Grants Program and free opportunities for teachers and schools to engage in watershed service and education.
More information about the sources, types and impacts of marine debris can be found at NOAA's Marine Debris website: http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/
California is served by a network of Watershed Education Trainers through Project W.E.T. Visit http://www.watereducation.org/ to learn more about Project Wet, and click here for a list of Region 4 trainers as of 12/5/2009
Bonus Material:
The Bag vs The Bay
For more information contact:
Nate Ivy -Service-Learning Regional Lead
510.670.4283 ~ nivy@acoe.org
