Educators are our favorite people. To support educators we provide science-based educational resources, presentations, and workshops. We’ve already reached thousands of middle and high school students across the country and we aim to keep improving and growing. We teach about the sources and impact of plastic pollution, and empower the next generation to be a part of the solution.
Wayfinder Society + The Stay Stoked Award
Wayfinder Society is an online platform where students explore the environmental and social aspects of plastic pollution through lessons and action items. The program’s real-world and real-time approach to education not only helps students explore the complex systemic nature of the problem, but it also empowers them to participate in meaningful solutions happening NOW. Designed for ages 11-20, Wayfinder Society offers opportunities to win prizes, get expert advice, and even apply for money to help students fund their journey! Applications for the Stay Stoked Award are OPEN NOW until July 14, 2021, so be sure to get your students involved today!
The Story of Plastic documentary + virtual classroom webinar series
This full length documentary was created to give the plastic pollution movement a powerful tool for change. Sign up for our 3-webinar series to help you engage your students around the film. Includes an intro session to walk you through our screening guides full of virtual classroom activities connected to the film, a free screening of the film for you and your students, a panel discussion with film heros and movement leaders, and a follow-up Q&A. We’ll also cover our new online action platform for youth – Wayfinder Society.
Teaching Kits
The Debris Science Investigation Kit is an all-included, prepared activity for educators to use in the classroom. Students rotate through three hands-on activities, including studying microplastics in an ocean gyre sample, investigating the densities of various plastics and their effects on ecosystems, and mapping out where we find plastics in our oceans. 1 hr lesson, NGSS aligned and designed for middle school.
Free for Southern CA public schools educators.
Professional Development Workshops
Become an expert on plastic pollution and empowering youth to be a part of the solution. The state of plastic pollution is a rapidly changing. We will help you stay up to date with the newest developments and will walk you through our educational resources. We hold several professional development workshops each year in Long Beach, CA.
This program is currently on hold. Check out our new virtual webinar program instead.
Elementary School Resources
Algalita focuses most of our work on students grades 6 and up, so here are some of our favorite resources to engage younger students!
The fantastic documentary, Microplastic Madness, beautifully outlines the problems with plastic and how they can be addressed at school. Centering environmental justice and people of color in science, this resource exemplifies the future we want. Created by our friends at Cafeteria Culture. Free screenings for title one schools!
MICROPLASTIC MADNESS DOCUMENTARY +
Videos & Books
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT PLASTIC +
Classroom Presentations
Bring us into your classroom for an interactive presentation. We’ll meet your students at their level, challenge them to think big picture and engage in discussion. We’ll go into the problems with plastic, unintended consequences, innovations, policy and local solutions. Video-call presentations are offered for distant locations. 6th grade – college level.
Program on hold. Check out our virtual webinar series instead or online action platform Wayfinder Society!
“Either we shape our future or stand passively by while it shapes us.”
-Charles Saylan
TAKE
ACTION
Help us build our community by donating or sharing our resources with a teacher, young person or family member. Together, we can arrive at a future free of plastic pollution.