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.
The Story of Plastic documentary + virtual screening guides
This full length documentary was created to give the plastic pollution movement a powerful tool for change. Set up a free virtual screening for your students and colleagues. Algalita has created an experience guide to help you engage your students before, during, and after the film. It’s full of simple hands-on activities, games, prompts, and discussion guides to get through the new ideas presented in the film and to help your students process their emotional response to the film. Dive even deeper with our new online platform, Wayfinder Society, which is packed with action items for each of your students’ interests and personalities.
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.
Let us know if you’re interested in attending a workshop.
Wayfinder Society
Every young person should be inspired to make a difference in their own way. Wayfinder is an online platform that can be used in the classroom to engage students in a range action projects from calling out sidewalk litter on social media to writing letters to government officials to composing original pieces of music, students can shape their own participation while earning rewards for accomplishing their goals. Designed for ages ~8 – 18.
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.
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 +
“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.