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Microplastics and the Planet

Discover the hidden journey of plastics, from the clothes people wear to the oceans they rely on. Students conduct experiments to observe how plastics move, break down, and pollute water. Throughout these interactive labs, participants practice proper lab safety, etiquette, and careful observation, and engage in activities that guide them in analyzing results and designing innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.

Meet the Curriculum Developer

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Slime Bingo

Slime Bingo introduces students to lab safety, etiquette, and precision skills through hands-on play. Using tweezers, participants carefully extract small plastic pieces hidden in colorful slime and match each item to their bingo cards. This interactive activity reinforces safe lab techniques while building fine motor skills and a deeper understanding of microplastics.

Microplastics Extraction

In the Microplastics Extraction Lab, students take on the role of environmental scientists as they separate microplastics from water samples using materials like sand, salt, vegetable oil, and coffee filters. Students learn how plastics float or sink based on density while practicing careful lab techniques and strengthening observation and analytical skills.

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Fabric Microfiber Shedding Test

In the Fabric Microfiber Shedding Test, students investigate how synthetic fabrics like fleece and polyester release microfibers into water. By shaking fabric samples and filtering the results, they can observe the tiny fibers up close and understand how they enter aquatic environments. This hands-on activity reinforces careful lab techniques, encourages observation and analysis, and helps students see the real-world impact of everyday materials on waterways.

Ocean Currents & Plastics Movements

In the Ocean Currents & Plastics Movement Lab, students explore how ocean currents transport and concentrate plastic pollution. By creating temperature differences in water, they observe how “pollution” particles move and cluster, modeling gyres, convection, and marine debris patterns. This hands-on activity helps students connect scientific concepts to real-world ocean systems and visualize how plastics accumulate in our oceans.

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