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Wave of Plastic, Jr. 

Download the Complete Wave of Plastic, Jr. Unit

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Wave of Plastic, Jr. introduces 5th graders to macroplastic pollution by connecting their everyday plastic use to environmental debris, building the awareness and foundational knowledge before they advance to the middle school curriculum, Wave of Plastic. The Wave of Plastic Jr. MWEE unit, Macroplastics in the Chesapeake Bay, is designed to align with the Maryland Environmental Literacy Framework, ensuring that students engage in meaningful, inquiry-based learning experiences that promote environmental stewardship and scientific understanding

Wave of Plastic, Jr. has 5 sections which focus on:

  • Introducing the Phenomenon
  • Exploring the Properties of Macroplastic
  • Modeling the Path of Macroplastics
  • Macroplastics in the Bay Ecosystem
  • Taking Action: Macroplastic Awareness

Wave of Plastic, Jr. was created in large part by Jason Hayes, Elementary Science Supervisor for St. Mary’s County Public Schools, with support from University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences – Chesapeake Biological Lab research staff, Dr. Carys Mitchelmore and Jessica McGlinsey, M.Ed., as well as Leigh Ann Anderson, Science Supervisor for Charles County Public Schools. This project was piloted and modified by science teachers in St. Mary’s and Charles County: Kristi Goldsmith, Jordan Higgs, Rachel Boarman, Jackie Snyder, Emily Meny, and Dyanna Finamore.

Funding provided by the NOAA B-Wet program.