The more we teach the next generation about the perils of plastic pollution, the greater chance we have of stamping it out.

With that in mind, we’ve pulled together the following list of resources for teachers in search of interesting and fun ways to run everything from school art projects to detailed science curricula about plastic.

As usual, we need your help to make sure this is the most helpful resource it can be. Got a project, lesson plan or great advice that we’ve missed? Let us know! Leave a comment here or send an email to ben [at] plasticpollutioncoalition [dot] org and we’ll be happy to include it.

If you decide to take advantage of these resources, or reach out to another organization for help with plastic pollution issues, be sure to register your project on our global map of Plastic Free Campus initiatives!

We are compiling a global listing of presenters, workshops, and student campaigns. Click here to find programs in your region.

For the do-it-yourselfers, here are links to lesson plans, curriculum, art projects, and other online resources for teachers and students to use.

Lesson Plans

GRADES K-12

WORLDWIDE: Sea Turtle Restoration Project - Sea Turtle Restoration provides educational videos, materials, anda variety of lesson plans for teachers. The organization also runs its popular Adopt-a-Nest program. Teachers have used their materials to educate classes about sea turtles and the marine environment, and then capped off the lesson with a bake-sale or other fundraising event in order to buy an Adopt-A-Nest. This allows the students to turn their learning into action as the Adopt-A-Nest helps protect sea turtle nests and hatchlings.

HAWAII: Kokua Hawaii Foundation - Kokua’s Plastic Free Schools program provides resources and materials to educate school communities on the environmental and health benefits of going plastic free to minimize the consumption and pollution of plastics in Hawaii’s schools and throughout the Islands. Plastic Free Schools aims to reduce single-use plastics on school campuses by encouraging students, faculty, and parents to make plastic free commitments to use reusable water bottles and tote bags and pack waste free lunches. Although targeted to Hawai’i, the program is a model that could be duplicated elsewhere as well, and Kokua provides a number of resources to those looking to start similar programs in their local school districts. The Plastic Free Schools Educator’s Resource Guide is available for download from the Foundation’s website as well. Kokua offers an assortment of other school programs focused on teaching young people about sustainable living, as well as an extensive resource section for educators.

GRADES 4 THROUGH 8

U.S. NATIONWIDE – ChicoBag - ChicoBag provides a truly comprehensive resource for teachers, including curricula for grades 4 through 8. The curricula were written for teachers by a teacher and are completely free for educational use. The company’s Teacher Resource Center also includes ideas for school fundraisers (selling reusable bags instead of wrapping paper or cookies), events, and getting kids involved in community efforts.

GRADES 6 THROUGH 8 (MIDDLE SCHOOL)

WORLDWIDE: Tara Oceans - The marine research organization teamed up with Biosphere 2 in Arizona to create this lesson on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch,  by Victoria Milani, for middle-school students.

Art Projects

GRADES K-12

WORLDWIDE – Create Plenty – Through its International Plastic Quilt project Create Plenty aims to unite teachers and students throughout the world in the fight against disposable plastics. The quilts are a great way to both teach children about plastic pollution and create a group project, and the collection of images and videos of these quilts provides a powerful visual reminder to the world of the dangers of trashing our planet for the next generation. Create Plenty provides an Artist/Teacher/Volunteer Kit online for those interested in leading local students in a quilt project, and a Gyre Quilt Template is available for download as well.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Trash for Teaching – Educator resources include tips on process and exercises, and teachers in southern California have access to the organization’s warehouse full of materials to do their own school art projects made from trash.

WORLDWIDE: Ocean of Plastic Plastic Pollution Coalition co-founder Dianna Cohen worked with elementary school art teacher Ellie Kreischer in Spain in June 2010 to develop a 4-week unit about ocean plastic pollution (including a group art project), suitable for kindergarden through fifth grade.