Major themes or topics: Plastic pollution, human impact, environment, watersheds, community

Big Question: Why is plastic pollution a problem? How does plastic pollution affect aquatic ecosystems?

Destination(s): Anacostia River

Session One (classroom-based): What’s the big deal with plastic? Students explore oceans like marine biologists to understand how plastic affects marine ecosystems.

Session Two (field experience): Students investigate the ways plastic pollution has impacted the Anacostia River as they explore the ecosystem and identify native species during a boat ride led by the Anacostia Watershed Society. Students also help restore the health of the watershed by collecting plastic, planting wetland plants, or collecting seeds.

Academic Standards Referenced:

ELA Common Core Standards: Reading Informational Texts

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.2: Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.

Next Generation Science Standards

NGSS ESS3.C: Human activities in agriculture, industry, and everyday life have had major effects on the land, vegetation, streams, ocean, air, and even outer space. But individuals and communities are doing things to help protect Earth’s resources and environments.