Where does ocean trash come from, how does it get here, and what can we actually do about it?
Students find out by getting their hands in the sand. They investigate the history of ocean trash and explore its various origins and makeup, then head out to collect and categorize what they find on the beach.
A sand screening activity measures the abundance of microplastics, including the nurdles used in plastic manufacturing, and students calculate what they are finding per square meter. It is hands-on environmental science with a direct connection to the coastline students are standing on.
Depending on group numbers, the citizen science portion may take place off site, with transportation arranged by the visiting group.
Program Details
Availability: Year-round
For: Kindergarten through college
Duration: 2 to 4 hours
Location: The Boathouse and beach sites in the Garibaldi area
Includes: Ocean trash history and origins, collection and categorization, microplastics sand screening, mass and density calculations
Ready to plan a trip?
Reach out to our education team to check availability and find the right program for your group.