Ocean Plastic Next Generation Science Standards Alignment

Grade 3

Grade 3 dives into the wonders of life science. Through this episode, students learn about sea turtles’ vital role in marine ecosystems, emphasizing species interconnectedness. By addressing the impacts of plastic pollution on marine life, including sea turtles, the content underscores the profound implications of human activities on biodiversity and species survival.

3-LS4-3
Inheritance and Variation of Traits: Life Cycles and Traits
By discussing sea turtles’ role in the ocean ecosystem and how their health affects humans, students learn about the importance of biodiversity and the interconnectedness of species.

3-LS4-4
Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
Covering the effects of plastic pollution on ocean life, including sea turtles, helps students understand how human activities can impact ecosystems and the survival of various species.

Grade 4

Fourth graders are introduced to the intricate dance between Earth’s systems and human activities. The series guides them from neighborhood plastic litter to the ocean depths, illustrating the path of water and the adverse effects of human-induced plastic pollution on Earth’s systems. The narrative also highlights the inherent dangers of plastic to marine ecosystems, driving home our responsibility in the plastic dilemma.

4-ESS2-2
Earth’s Systems
By exploring how plastic litter on land can find its way into the ocean, students learn about the movement of water and the effects of human activities on Earth’s systems.

4-ESS3-2
Earth and Human Activity
This standard is met when discussing how the structure and properties of plastic make it a danger to the ocean and marine life and how human activities contribute to plastic pollution.

Grade 5

For Grade 5, the series delves deep into matter and its interactions, spotlighting plastic’s unique properties. Discussions around plastic’s transition to microplastics and its enduring, non-biodegradable nature enable students to grasp matter conservation and material characteristics. Tying human actions to environmental consequences, the series also introduces engineering solutions, motivating students to identify, design, and refine strategies to combat plastic pollution.

5-PS1-3
Matter and Its Interactions
When explaining the properties of plastic and how it breaks down into microplastics but is not biodegradable, students learn about the conservation of matter and material properties.

5-ESS3-1
Earth and Human Activity
By discussing the ways plastic is used by humans and its impact on the environment, students understand the relationship between human activities and Earth’s systems.

Engineering & Design Grades 3-5

Within the realm of engineering and design, students from grades 3 through 5 embark on a transformative journey to combat plastic pollution. They delve into the groundbreaking efforts of organizations harnessing science and green technologies. By identifying the pressing issue of plastic waste, students engage in designing innovative solutions, comparing and refining multiple strategies to address the problem. Through hands-on challenges, students not only grasp the intricacies of engineering design but also actively experiment, assess, and enhance their own solutions to mitigate plastic’s environmental impact.

3-5-ETS1-1
Engineering Design
When discussing organizations using science, engineering, and green technologies to address plastic pollution and providing ideas for student projects, this standard is met by defining a problem and designing potential solutions.

3-5-ETS1-2
Engineering Design
By having students compare multiple solutions to address plastic pollution, they are meeting this standard by evaluating different approaches to solving a problem.

3-5-ETS1-3
Engineering Design
Providing lessons or challenges on engineering and science solutions for students to experiment with at school allows them to plan and carry out fair tests to improve their designs and address the issue of plastic pollution.