Marine Debris
Coastal hazard education resources
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines marine debris as “any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned in the marine environment or Great Lakes.” Simply put, it's trash in the water.
Selected curriculum

Topic | Grades | Type | Title |
---|---|---|---|
What marine debris is
|
K-2, 3-5, MS, HS | Data Sheet | |
3-5, MS | Data Sheet | ||
3-5, MS, HS
|
Background Information | ||
Handout | |||
Handout | |||
Handout | |||
MS, HS | Presentation | ||
Where marine debris comes from and how it moves
|
K-2, 3-5, MS, HS | Lesson Plan | |
3-5, MS
|
Lesson Plan | ||
Activity, Field Trip | |||
3-5, MS, HS
|
Lesson Plan | ||
Case Study | |||
MS, HS
|
Lesson Plan | ||
Presentation | |||
Effects on the ecosystem
|
K-2, 3-5 | Lesson Plan | |
K-2, 3-5, MS | Activity | ||
K-2, 3-5, MS, HS
|
Activity | ||
Activity | |||
3-5, MS
|
Lesson Plan | ||
Lesson Plan | |||
Activity | |||
Presentation | |||
Presentation | |||
3-5, MS, HS
|
Activity | ||
Case Study | |||
MS | Lesson Plan | ||
What plastic is
|
3-5, MS | Lesson Plan | |
3-5, MS, HS
|
Lesson Plan | ||
Handout | |||
Handout | |||
Handout | |||
What we can do
|
K-2, 3-5, MS, HS | Lesson Plan | |
3-5, MS | Lesson Plan | ||
3-5, MS, HS
|
Lesson Plan | ||
Lesson Plan | |||
Lesson Plan | |||
Worksheet | |||
MS | Lesson Plan |
Thanks to these education partners, who collaborated to develop curriculum relevant to this coastal hazard: Alaska SeaLife Center, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, UAF Alaska Sea Grant, Prince William Sound Regional Citizen Advisory Council, Prince William Sound Science Center