Marine Debris
Discover the issues surrounding marine debris through stewardship and science.
Marine debris connects everyday choices on land with the health of our waterways and coastal ecosystems. The DUML Marine Debris Curriculum is an interdisciplinary learning resource designed for 4th- and 5th-grade classrooms to help students investigate where marine debris comes from, how it affects the environment, and what they can do to make a difference.
Co-developed by Duke University Marine Lab researchers, local educators, and community partners, the curriculum combines scientific investigation, hands-on activities, environmental stewardship, and creative expression to make marine debris relevant to students’ own communities.
Learning Through Marine Debris
Students become environmental investigators as they explore marine debris from multiple perspectives.
Explore
Observe and identify different types of marine debris and consider how everyday materials can enter local waterways.
Investigate
Collect, categorize, and analyze debris through activities such as classroom trash audits and community cleanups.
Connect
Examine how marine debris affects coastal ecosystems and wildlife, including the risks of ingestion and entanglement.
Create & Take Action
Transform what students learn into art, communication, and stewardship projects that encourage others to care for local waterways.
The curriculum in action!
Teachers and students across NC have been learning and creating amazing MD projects. Check out videos from our collaborators at the NCSU Environmental Education lab at their YouTube channel.
Click here to see a mural students created from their collected marine debris!
How Long ‘Til It’s Gone? activity: Download the card game
Marine Debris Entanglement activity: Download entangled bottlenose dolphin photos and descriptions
