A.1 Overview: Plastic and Earth’s Spheres

The Great Garbage Patch Virtual Field Trip A.1 Overview: Plastic and Earth’s Spheres

A. Chat

B. All About Plastic and Earth's Spheres

Have you ever heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? In this project, we’ll learn about the Garbage Patch and more! We will:

Learn all about Earth’s four spheres and how they interact.
Investigate the effects of plastic on Earth’s spheres.
Take a virtual field trip to meet Captain Charles Moore and learn about the impact of plastic pollution on the hydrosphere.

C. How Big is the Garbage Patch?

Think Like a Scientist

Here is a video of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Act like a scientist and observe:

What are some ways to describe the size of the Garbage Patch?
What is the Garbage Patch like?
What are some reasons cleaning up the Garbage Patch is difficult?

D. Marine Animal Stories

Can you think of why the Great Garbage Patch is such a problem? One reason is that it is very dangerous for the health of marine animals that live in, or near, the ocean.

Directions: Guess how plastic may have impacted each of the species below. Click on the images below for the answer. Then, listen to their stories. As you listen, think about why plastic was a problem for them.