Middle School Grade  Project 8 weeks

Blue Planet, Big Impact: Ocean Action Squad

Lorie
Updated
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Purpose

Use cleanup photos and a trash tally to study pollution, daily choices, and local habits. Pollution means harmful waste in the environment. Learn from cleanup nonprofits, community associations, city staff, and the Five Dreams team. Record one academic win after each research session. Record one social win after each research session. Create a public service video. Create a pledge wall. Create a cleanup data display. Share revised products publicly. Add a before-and-after reflection. Show how your ideas changed.

Learning goals

I can explain how local pollution sources and daily habits affect oceans.
I can analyze cleanup data to find patterns and recommend practical next steps.
I can create a clear video, pledge wall, and data display for community action.
I can use feedback from experts and peers to improve my work.
I can reflect on academic and social wins and explain how my ideas changed.

Products

Create a photo-sort tally and research notes about pollution sources, cleanup data, trash, and recycling habits. A tally means a count you keep with marks. After each research session, record one academic win and one social win. Use feedback from peers and community partners to revise your message and action steps. Make a public service video, signed pledge wall, and cleanup data display. Turn in a before-and-after reflection, then present all products at the Ocean Action Showcase.

Launch

Sort beach cleanup photos by the pollution sources and items you notice.
Count each trash type, then make a quick tally of the results.
Choose one daily habit that could reduce the most common trash.
Add your promise to the wall and connect it to our driving question.

Exhibition

Host an Ocean Action Showcase for families, neighbors, and community partners. Show your public service video and explain one action visitors can take today. Guide visitors through cleanup data and community next steps. Patterns are things that repeat. Invite guests to choose one habit change and sign the local pledge wall.