#worldgeochat is a weekly chat focused on teaching geography and global studies. Chats vary between geography specific topics as well as general teaching and education topics. ALL are welcome in worldgeochat!
Hi folks! I’m Celeste from the Nat Geo Explorer Classroom Team! Tonight on #WorldGeoChat we’re talking about #OceanPlastics
First things first, educators (thank you for all you do!) introduce yourselves!
I'm ready to go with wonky internet to boot! Excited to chat about this topic and learn from who ever is here. I'm Allison from #Ottawa and appreciate the beauty of nature around me & wish to protect it. #worldgeochat
Vicki from PA! Instructional Tech Coach & High School Cultural & Literary Studies Teacher. It's a Geo & Lit cross-curricular, co-taught online course. So much fun to teach! #worldgeochat
I'm Chris - 7th grade Global Studies teacher - fan of the Global Goals - and #worldgeochat moderator. Ready for this amazing chat with our @NatGeoEducation friends!
Hi #worldgeochat and @NatGeoEducation! This is Rebecca Green Bew... a marine science teacher currently attempting to multitask with worldgeochat,wrapping up my TGC Global Education Guide, and putting to bed to girls that insist they are not tired.
It's a course with @NatGeoEducation learning about the implementation of geo-inquiry in the classroom. Our project outlines are due tonight! :) #worldgeochat
In reply to
@Ragbag01, @cheffernan75, @NatGeoEducation, @NatGeoEducation
A1
I think the best way to introduce this is through the #GlobalGoals! Most students don't have a clue the danger that plastic presents to the oceans!
#WorldGeoChat
A1: Discussing pictures from my teaching experience in Senegal last year. Ss were shocked at how coasts looked & discussed what they could do locally. Maybe we should start a tally as to the number of reusable bottles vs. once and done bottles to gauge success... #worldgeochat
A1: If using computer lab I might open with a Youtube Search List
Plastics + Ocean, Plastic + Waste, et al... a picture is worth so much more...
#worldgeochat
Stuff like this:
https://t.co/MIKbNy6Xml
A1 the way Wisconsin standards were rewritten and the way my new schools curriculumlines up, I am excited to have more time to focus on Human Environment Interactions themes much more and this could be one of many great topics #worldgeochat
A1: Discussing pictures from my teaching experience in Senegal last year. Ss were shocked at how coasts looked & discussed what they could do locally. Maybe we should start a tally as to the number of reusable bottles vs. once and done bottles to gauge success... #worldgeochat
My husband was showing me pictures from Senegal's coast last night asking if I know anything about it.... silly man, of course I do -- do you want the long or short answer 🤣 #worldgeochat
A1: Recycling is pretty important to me, so it usually comes up during class sometime when there is excessive plastic waste like 20 water bottles left in my room, not in the recycling bin. I'm hoping to pick up some great ideas for this from #worldgeochat
A1 As a social studies educator, I would introduce it as a Human-Environment Interaction or discuss it as movement & probably the most powerful would be thru images (videos, maps, photos) such as this https://t.co/3ezO57I7rT#worldgeochat
A1: talk about impact of humans on the environment in many ways. Introduce Great Pacific Garbage Patch early on and discuss other ways plastic impacts the ocean throughout the year.
Photos and articles related to topic #worldgeochat
Pictures from around the world of plastic affecting the living ecosystems. We also tracked our plastic for a week and were shocked at how widespread plastic is in our everyday lives. #WorldGeoChat#oceanplastics
A1 I spend a fair amount of time diving and in ocean related environments, so I’d be using images snapped in these locations. The worst I’ve seen is in Indonesia, unfortunately. #worldgeochat
Geography is an ANY subject learning opportunity. It can be integrated into any subject so no matter what you teach, you can bring it to the forefront of learning through Where is it/Why is it there/Why Care - ties in w/ tonight's chat really :) #worldgeochat
In reply to
@Ragbag01, @NatGeoEducation, @cheffernan75
Ding ding ding! #TeachSDGs through life on land, life in water, climate change - these are all entry points for bettering the world where plastic is concerned. #worldgeochat
A2: I think even if their is not a major body of water nearby the issue of pollution is unfortunately universal. In addition we are all consumers of plastics in some form. #worldgeochat
Love this. I've shown pics from a trip to Jamaica and discussed how many of the local beaches are horribly polluted there, but not the ones along the resorts #worldgeochat
Q2 I’d use an activity called connect the dots. Ss have to put ocean plastics in the center of a page with a dot. Then their name with a dot in a corner. Via videos, images, articles they have to pull evidence and how it connects back to them.... #worldgeochat
A2: Help them recognize where their plastic goes through mapping tools & how their plastic travels then focus on solutions & small life style changes that can prevent plastics spreading throughout our water systems. #worldgeochat
A2 What did they say on Finding Nemo? "All drains lead to the ocean..." Students need to understand that "landlocked" does not mean entirely what it seems. #worldgeochat
Sorry, #worldgeochat. Swamped with work at the moment. Tried my hardest to give myself time for tonight... Can't wait to read the archives!! Have fun tonight!
A1) I had to carry my (non disgusting) trash around with me for a week in high school. It really puts some perspective on being a consumer and how much waste we produce. #worldgeochat
A2 Could start by having students explore the dangers of plastic on themselves & the environment (i.e. the toxins) and how that also impacts & other beings in the environment #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat a2 landlocked students. It's about making sure the students have buy-in to the planet. Healthy planet = success. Connecting to what they like and where they want to visit helps them understand ocean currents.
A2 #worldgeochat Always found this interesting. Helps understand the migration of trash from all locations towards Ocean Garbage Patches.
https://t.co/IMWSzrgJ8e
A2
We definitely don't see it or feel it here in the Midwest. Somehow last year the "ban all straws" campaign caught their attention (there was a great @Newsela) on it. That got my kids to at least THINK about ocean plastic. #worldgeochat
A3 Our Montessori classroom has a daily snack set out for kids (and hungry teachers). We did away with single-use utensils, plates and cups. #smallsteps#worldgeochat
A2: Statistics about use of plastics and how much of it ends up in the oceans. Talk about what they see in their own communities- litter along the roadway, in streams, etc. How it can end up making it's way to the ocean. #worldgeochat
A3 Oh not nearly enough! One of our clubs did an awesome reusable bottle program last year, but I have yet to do something in my own room! #WorldGeoChat
A2: Seeing is believing. Showing students the damage done by Ocean plastic makes an impact. I am hoping to get some more resources on this, since I haven't directly addressed #oceanplastic issues before. Thanks #worldgeochat!
A2B (cont.) Could then use an adaptation of "Who Polluted the Potomac" & use items from plastic to do student involved simulation on how impacts ocean in the class. Could adapt w/ plastic from this https://t.co/wXo9hXZSRh#worldgeochat
A3. While teaching in Senegal, we taught this article - https://t.co/eajRTThYM6 . Very different life experiences there (we also brought twizzlers for them). This year will be doing exploring by the seat of your pants hangouts in a few weeks, too! #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat a2 landlocked students. Teaching how each bit of trash ends up in our water sources and those water sources feed into the Gulf and oceans is a big step into understanding the power of pollution.
Created the Google Earth files for NatGeo in these Pristine Seas Voyager idea sets. They are a bit old, but still work. Improved them since them Think those are a year 1/2 old? https://t.co/I3FKXmrPuw#worldgeochat
A2 Many are aware, and have seen the bracelets. Personally if they counted the plastic bags they use each week they would be shocked. Personally, I have switched to cloth bags and keep them in my car. #worldgeochat
A3: Working at online school my Ss are all over PA. But all the Ts, admins, staff work in one building together. Ask my colleagues how much I pressure them into recycling. ;-) And I've been known to grab plastic from ppl before they threw them in the trash too #worldgeochat
A3
I haven't done enough, BUT...
my students did Take Action Friday projects with the #GlobalGoals. One of the things they discovered was that too many recylable materials didn't make it to recycling facilities. They tried to improve our schools recycling program #worldgeochat
A1) Start local. Students know (some of) how pollution impacts the environment around them, from train car spills to the nasty cigarette butts. This is an excellent foundation to build on as you reach outward towards the bigger and more distant ocean. #worldgeochat
Created the Google Earth files for NatGeo in these Pristine Seas Voyager idea sets. They are a bit old, but still work. Improved them since them Think those are a year 1/2 old? https://t.co/I3FKXmrPuw#worldgeochat
A3 We teamed up with @SCDNR and their SCORE project to build oyster reefs and protect our coastal estuaries
Find out or volunteer at: https://t.co/xG3pP6QVw9#worldgeochat
A3 I love that so many of the answers deal with understanding how our water ways are interconnected - here in Illinois, we don't see the impact on the ocean, but we contribute to it! #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat a3 how have we addressed ocean plastic as a community. Dear @NatGeoEducation I'm sorry. I haven't done enough. I will change that this year. It's not too late. #CommunityProject
A2) Minnesota is a long way from the ocean, but the Great Lakes, Mississippi River and many smaller lakes give most students a strong basis to understand the interconnectedness of the water on our planet. The drains here go straight to the Gulf. #worldgeochat
A3) I think school recycling is a great place to start, but the issue of waste is much deeper. We really should be focusing on the reuse and reduce. #worldgeochat
#WorldgeoChat a3 We've always celebrated World Ocean week and brought attention to the resources we need to protect the ocean, but we haven't done any substantial project with it.
A3: A few years ago, our @Little_Leos club tried to actively reduce the number of water bottles used at school by announcing statistics about water bottles. Then we announced the number of bottles recycled each week, & set a new goal to reduce our plastic. #worldgeochat
A3b
Showing students that they *CAN* take action and make change! They love seeing that kids like them are doing amazing things around the planet. They just need to be given the chance to!
#worldgeochat
A3: litterless lunch/leave no trace expectations, friendly competion via @ON_EcoSchools & researching biodegradeable, reduction, or reuse options BEFORE the idea of recycling. #worldgeochat
A3B I find what best motivates students to take action is for the teacher to make the topic relatable to the students & important in the students minds #worldgeochat
Q3b. Our Student Council has decided to form a separate environmental committee to see what our school can do to reduce its footprint and educate our school community. I’m excited for the passion of our middle schoolers! #worldgeochat
A3b
This TedTalk by @kiranbirsethi is one that I love showing my Ss. If kids in India with not even 1/2 the resources mine do can make a difference, they sure as heck can too!
#worldgeochathttps://t.co/c4ZPG5SadX
A3 As a #frenchteacher, I often select readings for my students about laws and trends in other countries (to compare with life in the US). We discuss laws prohibitinb plastic grocery bags in france or research into biodegradable bottles. #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat a3b motivates action. Students have to be engage in the project. It has to be student centered and led. Teachers need to check in and give them deadlines and be the sounding board.
A3B: They have to see the connection to them personally. Tie the issue(s) to their interests. Let them come up with an action plan related to the #GlobalGoalsl they are most interested in. #worldgeochat
Coming in late- Jennifer Wilkinson 2nd grade teacher -Bellingham WA A1 I start by reading Ducky - a picture book about a crate of plastic ducks that fall off of a ship. #worldgeochat
Q3 any concrete way we can make them see how our/their actions can impact the larger issue (either contribute to it or help mitigate it). Helping Ss make Self to World connections is huge. #worldgeochat
A3B You have to provide context/perspective for how bad the waste problem is. Make the problem tangible by showing students how much plastic they use. #worldgeochat
A3b: When students can hold something tangible and see a direct effect on their community. Local stories, experts, and hands-on pbl get kids inspired to dig in and take action. #worldgeochat
Does YOUR passion motivate your kids? National Geographic Educator Certification is a free professional development program for pre-K through 12 formal and informal educators. Next session begins 9/10! https://t.co/RR8OyGvUBK#worldgeochat
A3b) Tapping students passions and have them working towards change they want to see can help motivate and inspire others. We run a film festival in #PUSDedu and a student turned in this. Wish I could take credit for it. #worldgeochathttps://t.co/XJKmtk8XKD
#worldgeochat a3b motivates action. Students have to be engage in the project. It has to be student centered and led. Teachers need to check in and give them deadlines and be the sounding board.
A3 my k-6 school has a grade 4-6 green team. We encourage kids to opt out of using straws once they can drink the school milk without them. #worldgeochat
The GeoChallenge is an annual competition from Nat Geo that challenges student groups in grades 5-8 to develop a creative solution to a real-world problem. Register here: https://t.co/PC7wdWGOW3#worldgeochat#tacklingplastic
A3 @HalseyArt had a great display on plastics harming the environment and the artists working to promote awareness of the issue
Here are some of my favorite photos from the event!
https://t.co/uIPZ2XMtM2#worldgeochat
A3b. When students are assigned to debate for or against recycling or laws prohibiting disposible plastics, they are forced to take a side. Suddenly they have to sit up and take notice of an issue that they may normally ignore. #worldgeochat
Eep! I am so honoured and excited to be a Mentor for the 2018/19 cohorts. It's going to be such an amazing learning/growth opportunity for me & cannot wait to see what everyone is doing with their Ss for their certification. #worldgeochat
Students teams respond to a critical issue by using research, collaboration, and creativity to generate real-world solutions, just like National Geographic Explorers. This year’s theme is “Tackling Plastic!” #worldgeochat#tacklingplastic#oceanplastics
National Geographic Educator Certification is a free professional development program for pre-K through 12 formal and informal educators committed to inspiring the next generation of explorers, conservationists, and changemakers. Sign up: https://t.co/RR8OyGvUBK#worldgeochat
Explorer magazine is a not-for-profit classroom resource empowering students in Grades K-6 to learn about the world. Students at all reading levels are inspired by National Geographic’s storytelling, exploration, and stunning photographs. #worldgeochat
This is great! The Altamaha River Watershed drains about one-quarter of the state of Georgia! Athens is in that. Rivers can be conduits for floating plastic to reach the ocean. #WorldGeoChat#OceanPlastics#PlanetOrPlastic
A4) I don't know if I have had success limiting plastic consumption in my class, but wouldn't it be cool if waterbottles could be melted down to feed 3d printers? #worldgeochat
Q3B For my little kids it is balancing act to not scare them too much- the scope of the problem is so big it can be overwhelming- So the motivation needs to come from a positive place. #worldgeochat
A3B- Ss eliminating the plastics by starting with the school. Collected data and asked for more water bottles fillers for Ss #worldgeochat . Sorry joining late!
A4: Helping students understand that even small actions can have a great impact. Have students dig in the trash and see how much waste they generate each day can be a really eye opening experience
#worldgeochat
A4 My daughter (who is in my class this year) and I use only reusable containers for taking breakfast and lunch to school -- containers, silverware, cloth napkins, covered cups, etc. No waste for us! Several teachers are following our example. #worldgeochat
A4
I've found no success in this. Our recycling program doesn't even take plastic at school.
But, we do have water bottle filling stations in our school & most Ss have a metal or glass water bottle!
#WorldGeoChat
#worldgeochat q4 #oceanplastics We're trying to recycle more and reuse water bottles. It's still an uphill battle, but at least we're starting to make the effort.
A4: If Ss see where their plastic goes & how it impacts the world (human & wildlife), they reflect & realize that they are 'glocal' citizens (global/local) & begin look at necessity vs. wants & reduce their impact vs. grow it. Comes & goes with Ss I've worked with. #worldgeochat
they don't need a lot. Kids want to help. Start small. (Besides, adults get overwhelmed too - it's likely a reason we can't solve all of this .... ) #worldgeochat
Scott, this is your million dollar idea. Don't let anyone else steal it. I'm serious. If you can figure this out, you'll be a rich, rich, man!!!
#worldgeochat
A4: Answering based on colleagues in the office- it's easiest to get them to recycle bottles, cardboard, and cans. But it's ALL the other stuff that has been the hardest. It hurts my recycling, sustainability- loving, Earth conscious soul. #worldgeochat
I encountered something similar at the Shedd Aquarium this summer as well- powerful that all of it was in the Great Lakes- my kids just thought it was art! #WorldGeoChat
We've done litter investigation/data collection/cleanup on campus using the mobile app Marine Debris Tracker @DebrisTracker (dev here). Then made maps, compiled data and started campus discussions about solutions. #oceanplastics#WorldGeoChat#PlanetOrPlastic
A2 I think fiction and nonfiction texts can serve as windows for students. Fill your classroom library with texts that make them see the world through others’ eyes. #worldgeochat
I want to have my Ss do that this year. this would work with my online Ss too. They can audit at home. Would be very eye-opening for them. #worldgeochat
A4 - Practice what you preach! Use reusable containers. Repurpose/upcycle, if all else fails, recycle. Offer challenges and ask students what they can do to repurpose items... #worldgeochat
A4: Locker clean-out is always an eye opener for S's. I use partially used water bottles to water my plants and all of my S' bring them to me, instead of wasting the water or the bottle. Seeing about 70 water bottles helped reduce the number of bottles next time. #worldgeochat
A4 Limiting classroom plastics reusable water bottles, containers and utencils. Promoting no waste in class at school cafetria. Promoting #zeroplatic and its impacts on the planet by regulary sharing and rpmoting the effect. #worldgeochat
Bummed to sneak out early (I’ll catch the archives for sure!) of #worldgeochat but gotta get kids to bed! Before I leave I’m hoping to fill 2 more #mysterskypes for next Friday, September 14th. Around 1030a or 145p CST. Anyone??
A4 This is one great thing about my@new school district- they are very conscious of environmental impact- no plastic utensils or straws with lunch. My own personal use of plastic could be better.#worldgeochat
A3B feeling like they have the power to make a difference. We finally got compostable food trays in school last year. Making a video to launch the new trays was exciting for our 4th-6th graders who wanted this change for years. #worldgeochat
A4: Perseverance. I think many attitudes see this as 'too big' of any issue & I refer to the Starfish Story; by putting just one back in the ocean, that one has a better chance. One resuable bottle saves how many? Positive Mental Attitude (#PMA) & we can do this. #worldgeochat
Share reusable wraps with others! I bring my snacks in the wraps which makes other teachers curious! I bought a few extra sets and have given them out. #worldgeochat
To be fair it wasn’t my idea- it was a senior project that we worked on together that forever changed my community service club into a recycling club too. #worldgeochat
I can absolutely see that. It seems like they are giving them way at the groc story each week and seem irritated when I don't want another one. #worldgeochat
This is the biggest problem. They go unused but they are still created. They are apparently a package deal with the milk company. We talk about refusing straws when kids dine out. My own kids have taken this advice to heart. #worldgeochat
Asher Jay | Creative Conservationist
Asher’s current Times Square exhibition Message In a Bottle focuses on ocean plastics. She’s on Explorer Classroom Sept 11th @ 10AM ET
#worldgeochat#oceanplastics
Tierney Thys | Biologist & Filmmaker
Check out Tierney’s recent short film on plastic pollution, The Complicated Journey of Marine Plastics. She’s on Explorer Classroom Wed Sept 12th @ 12PM ET
#worldgeochat#oceanplastics
The Story of Stuff Project's latest video is The Story of Microfibers. Students definitely need to see and discuss. https://t.co/iK9WkzQJBk#worldgeochat
Honestly, my wife did them in an hour yesterday. I wish I could find her "recipe" - I know it involved the oven, fabric, & wax paper. And a lot of swearing at her sewing machine! #worldgeochat
In reply to
@AnnaMMills, @CHuckeba, @NatGeoEducation
#worldgeochat a5 leaders on #oceanplastics: There's the usual suspects.... us, government officials, scientists, NASA... and then of course, students should look at themselves to spearhead the drive.
Katlin Bowman | Oceanographer
Katlin is studying how microplastic pollution in San Francisco Bay impacts mercury cycling. She’s on Explorer Classroom Sept 19 @ 1PM ET
#worldgeochat#oceanplastics
Imogen Napper | Marine Biologist
Imogen’s work recently helped influence the ban of microbeads in cosmetics internationally. She’s on #ExplorerClassroom Sept 20 @ 12PM ET
#worldgeochat#oceanplastics
A4 This is a Great Collection of ideas- the only one I can think of Iotu Cessna- the woman described in the kids book One Pladtic Bag by Miranda Paul. #worldgeochat
Lillygol Sedaghat | Environmental Journalist
Lillygol is documenting Taiwan’s waste management system and innovations in plastics and electronics recycling. She’s on #ExplorerClassroom Tues Sept 25th @ 1PM ET
#worldgeochat#oceanplastics
This was incredible! Thank you so much to our friends at @NatGeoEducation for leading our chat tonight! This is such an important topic and now I have a ton of ideas and resources to share with my students! #worldgeochat
A5: I try to lead by example, and educate when I can. I will have to do some research on specific leaders or rely on my #worldgeochat people to help me out here with some resources. Thank you!
Thank you all for joining this #WorldGeoChat
Here's a giant list of our team's favorite #oceanplastic resources. We hope they help you inspire the next generation of explorers, scientists, and storytellers!
https://t.co/HHQ0fEySZR
Thank you to everyone that participated in tonight's chat! We hope you can join us next week as we discuss teaching current events in your classroom! #worldgeochat
We've done cleanups along the creek that runs behind the school. Now I'm running for Soil & Water Supervisor in my county. My Ss will see the potential they have to create change. #worldgeochat@JenniferCaseyFL
This is a great help. Most homes, schools, businesses, etc. don't know or realize their waste generation rates or characterization. It's so enlightening! #WorldGeoChat#OceanPlastics#PlanetOrPlastic
Thank you #worldgeochat leadership and @NatGeoEducation for making us think about how plastic in our ocean is tied to our communities, even if we are hundreds of miles from the big waves.
