Kemtec Science: Ocean Trash Can

Kemtec Science: Ocean Trash Can Target Grades: 7-10 Number of Students: 24 students working in six groups of four. This exercise examines various types of pollutants, their sources, and their effects on the ocean, its inhabitants and the surrounding coastline. Students classify ocean pollution into five basic categories; debris, toxins, dissolved nutrients, particulates, and oil. They model the effects of ocean pollution with activities examining a variety of topics: the effect of the pH of various liquids on calcium carbonate; the effects of dilution, buffering capacity, salt and acid runoff; acid rain; the ability of water to purify itself; and oil spill clean-up. As a final project, students design and write a newsletter containing articles with pertinent pollution topics such as current laws, pollution, effects, bioaccumulation, and prevention. Requires four class periods plus research time. Required, but not included: six 1 gallon milk containers. Kit Contains: Instructor Manual Student Data Sheets Plastic Cups Cupcake Liners Sand Tums pH Strips Radish Seeds Sea Salt Styrofoam Peanuts Feathers Yarn Plastic Bags Cotton Balls Animal Fur Wire