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How polluted is our coast?
Foreword
This lesson will provide the pupils an opportunity to investigate the litter problem that we have on our coast. They will investigate whether there is a correlation between the size and weight of the litter, analyse the data and chart their results.
Previous Learning
Pupils have experience in using Google Sheets and in creating charts from data.
Pupils have learnt about the different types of pollution – air, plastic, noise, light etc.
Pupils understand what pH is and why people utilise the scale for water purity and that water has a pH of 7.
Resources
Blank table, digital scales, metre stick/tape measure, pH indicator, small container/pot, Chromebooks, disposable gloves, bin bags, clipboards, Micro:bit, beach visit.
Activities
Firstly the pupils will code a Micro:bit to count the amount of rubbish that they will collect.
The pupils will engage in a beach clean using disposable gloves to protect their hands. Each piece or every other piece of rubbish is measured for its length and its weight. The rubbish is then disposed in a bin bag. This continuous data is then charted in class on a Chromebook in a scatter chart to look for patterns in the rubbish.
Pupils will be testing the pH levels of the seawater with a pH scale. Then by placing natural items then pieces of rubbish in small containers, the pH levels are measured again. The data should then be analysed and the question should be asked – if it’s still close to pH7, should we still drink it regardless of what’s in it?
How It Looked
Some pupils were acutely aware that the beach had many sharp and dangerous objects, therefore we decided to progress a small handful to create a safe to use litter picker using LEGO Spark.
IMG_8461.MOVIMG_8466.MOVNext Steps
https://explorify.uk/en/activities/problem-solvers/clean-up-the-beach
Filtering water. How best to do so? Does pH7 mean clean to drink?
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