Credit: DRI
MICROPLASTICS
Authors/producers: Ileah Kirchoff
Description: Students will explore the physical properties of plastics, learn about the chemical components of plastics, and create an atomic model to represent the extended structures of plastics. Students will use what they’ve learned to consider the pros and cons of plastic use. Students will then consider how microplastics, in particular, can affect ecosystems by exploring how surface area can affect toxicity. Students will then design a device to remove microplastics from water. Finally, students will then create a PSA about one method for reducing plastic pollution.
| Region | Topics | Grade Level | Suggested NGSS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | Microplastics, Molecular structures, Ecology | Middle | MS-PS1-1. MS-PS1-3. MS-LS2-4. MS-LS2-5. MS-ESS3-3. |