For Instructors
“The Blue Planet Prize Story“ is accompanied by three supplementary units on the related environmental issues: Story Guide, Further Reading and Research, and For Instructors.
These contain useful information that instructors can use to help students understand the content.
We encourage you to utilize the Blue Planet Prize stories for environmental education classes in schools and for children's independent learning.
[Target Audience: Teachers, parents, and others involved in education]
Summary of the Story
Professor Richard Tompson, Professor Tamara Galloway, and Professor Penelope Lindeque are all renowned researchers in the field of marine plastics. In 2004, Professor Thompson published a groundbreaking paper revealing the accumulation of microplastics in the ocean, and established a new research area in science. In 2013, Professor Galloway and Professor Lindeque were the first to report that zooplankton ingested microplastics and were affected by them. This contributed to raising global awareness of the seriousness of the issue.
Because very few microorganisms can decompose plastic, it takes an extremely long time for plastic to completely decompose in nature. As a result, plastic that has been released into the ocean will continue to accumulate unless it is recovered. Microplastics are smaller than 5 mm in size and, therefore, extremely difficult to collect. Ingested by marine organisms, microplastics spread via the food chain throughout the ecosystem and have been detected in humans. Their potential health impact on humans is also a cause for concern.
Teaching Examples
If you are having trouble finding teaching material, please see the examples provided below.
Reduce Plastic Use in Your Daily Life!
Single-use plastic products are major contributor to plastic pollution. The purpose of this section is to help students learn how we can all reduce or eliminate plastic use in our daily lives.
1. List the common plastic products you encounter in your day-to-day life.
Here are some examples.
- Plastic bags
- Plastic bottles
- Candy wrappers
- Disposable spoons, forks, straws
- Product packaging
- Synthetic fiber clothing
2. Brainstorm ways to live without or reduce the use of these plastic products.
Here are some examples:
- Use reusable shopping bags.
- Use reusable water bottles.
- Avoid individually packaged snacks.
- Refuse disposable utensils when offered.
- Choose natural fiber clothing.
- Repurpose plastic bottles before discarding them.
There are clues in previous generation’s lifestyles. Ask elderly people around you for advice.
3. Think of more proactive ways to reduce plastic pollution.
Here are some examples:
- Participate in cleanup activities.
- Organize volunteer initiatives.
- Opt for biodegradable plastic products.
- Make your views known to policymakers.
- Pursue a career in environmental science.