EkoSkola Malta

Title

Single–Use Plastic Hunt

Author

Ms Maria Baldacchino

Age Guide

Year 5-8

Subject Area

Environmental Studies

– I can critically assess processes of change in society and envision a more equitable and sustainable world.

– I can identify priorities and evaluate potential consequences of different decisions and actions.

– I can involve myself and others in real-world issues to bring about a positive difference.

– I am a critically reflective person and am able to evaluate decisions, choices and actions.

– I am responsible for my actions and capable of anticipating, adapting to and facing change.

– I can reflect upon the consequences of my actions on present and future generations.

– I am motivated to make a positive contribution to other people and their social and natural environment, locally and globally.

– I can live in harmony with myself, others and the natural world at a range of levels from the local to the global.

– I have a future-oriented perspective for how I live my life as a citizen of the world.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

SDG 14: Life Below Water

Appendix 11.1 – Activity Sheet – Word Search: Ways to reduce your single-use plastic

Appendix 11.2 – Activity Sheet 2 – Single-Use Plastic Lifecycle

Appendix 11.3 – Activity Sheet 3 – Single-Use Plastic Hunt

Appendix 11.4 – Activity Sheet 4 – Ways to Reduce your Single-Use Plastic

The activity is to convey the message and instill the correct mentality of protecting our marine life, by outlining the basic items we use on a daily basis that may seem innocent but create a big negative impact on the marine environment, once disposed of.

The first activity is a word search, Appendix 11.1. The words are based on the information provided in Appendix 11.2 – Single-Use Plastic Lifecycle, which shows information on common plastic items used on a daily basis such as straws, coffee pods, plastic bottles, and the like.

At the end of this activity the following video link may be accessed:

How plastic hurts the world:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUUUxOl715s

Development

The next step is for the students to go on a Single-Use Plastic Hunt, using Appendix 11.3, of plastic household items which they will colour in and strike off by using the famous X marks the spot.

They will assign a numerical score to every item they find, based on the Single-Use Plastic Lifecycle, Appendix 11.2. These items which are on the list are common household items which end up in the sea.

At the end of the hunt the student will add up the scores that the items have been assigned.  The total score will then be translated into a statement: Eco-friendly, Attention required, Alarming – High Usage. This table is provided in Appendix 11.3.

Conclusion

After this Plastic Hunt activity, the students will explore Appendix 11.4 – Ways to Reduce your Single-Use Plastic, where the students will see the alternatives to reduce and replace single-use plastic items.

This will create awareness in the students’ household.