Lesson 7: Pollution Solutions

Lesson Information

Summary: Students take action against ocean pollution by informing their community about alternatives to hazardous household chemicals and garden pesticides.
Duration: One hour or more
Group size: Any
Materials: Pictures of fish; outdoor latex paint; brushes; Resource Sheet 3: Hazardous Waste Symbols; Resource Sheet 4: Alternatives and Proper Disposal of Some Common Household Waste; Resource Sheet 5: Control Garden Pests Naturally

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Describe ways in which human communities can help ocean communities through action projects.
• Demonstrate stewardship of ocean communities by completing an action project.

Background

Refer to Lesson 5: Down the Drain for detailed background information. One reason why people pour harmful wastes down the drain is that they forget about the river, lake, or ocean to which the drain leads or the living community that is affected. Fish are a recognizable symbol of aquatic communities.

Procedure

1. Complete Lesson 5: Down the Drain.
2. Explain that people pour harmful wastes down the drain because they don't think about the ocean creatures and habitats that will be affected. Sometimes people need a reminder. Tell your students that they can help prevent pollution by informing their community about the dangers of household hazardous wastes, then marking drains so people will think about where their waste goes.
3. Discuss alternatives to pouring hazardous wastes down the drain and using pesticides. Ask your students to create their own fact-sheets, brochures, posters, or other media based on Resource Sheets 3, 4, and 5. They can distribute these materials at home, at school, and throughout the community, depending on the scope of the project.
4. Have your students make or cut out fish pictures. Use the pictures as a reminder that drains lead to aquatic habitats. Mark sinks, toilets, showers, tubs, and other drains at school and at home. After obtaining permission, students can paint fish silhouettes near drains in the schoolyard, parking lot, or elsewhere in the community.
5. Ask the students to create an awareness campaign explaining to others what the symbols mean and suggesting alternatives to dumping hazardous wastes down the drain. Ideas might include distributing their fact-sheets, brochures, or posters, creating a display, or writing to a local newspaper.

Evaluation

Evaluate the media that students develop to explain the meaning of their fish symbols to the school and community. Evaluate messages for clarity, creativity, organization, and content.