Marine Debris & Coastal Clean-up

From Shawn's group (QPT May 2024)

Marine debris has become an omnipresent challenge in our daily lives, manifesting in various forms such as plastic wrappers, straws, driftwood, and even larger items like furniture and fishing nets, incessantly washing ashore.

In the spirit of shared learning and empowerment, I am thrilled to unveil several key insights gleaned from the session, aimed at seamlessly integrating this crucial knowledge into KOP and Sea expeditions. 

To kickstart engagement, we propose incorporating a bingo card approach, offering participants concise, actionable objectives related to marine debris. Upon completion, individuals accrue points redeemable during our unique "MAMA SHOP" experience on day 4, where celebratory dinner await. 

Furthermore, we aim to spark curiosity by prompting thought-provoking inquiries such as the origins of this debris and the stark contrast in waste accumulation during KOP sessions. Through interactive activities like the "longest line" challenge, participants will not only compete but also gain invaluable insights into decomposition rates, reinforcing the crucial mantra: if not us, then who will safeguard our seas? 

Lastly, we aspire to instill a profound sense of responsibility, underscoring the adage "prevention is better than cure." By highlighting the monumental task of marine cleanup and the imperative role each individual plays, we aim to foster a collective commitment to preserving our precious marine ecosystems. That also checks off one of our course objectives, concerned citizens! 

Together, let us embark on this transformative journey, where knowledge meets action.

From Miki's group (QPT May 2024)

Using experiential learning strategies, we can ask the participants to collect all their trash for the next 5 days into a container. 

At the end of the 5 days, we can ask them to look at how much trash they have generated in just this short period. We can then relate it back to our daily lives, considering how much trash they might generate in a year. This is intended to raise awareness. 

Debriefing questions

1. How did you feel carrying your trash around for the past 5 days? 

2. What have you learned about the trash that you generated? 

3. What steps did you take to manage your trash? 

4. Reflecting on this experience, what changes do you think you can make in your daily life to reduce the amount of trash you generate and prevent it from reaching our oceans?