Trash & Litter Short Program

Littering causes pollution, a major threat to the environment, and has increasingly become a cause for concern in many countries. As human beings, we are largely responsible for littering, and therefore, it is important to understand the impact litter has in our environment.

Littering along the road and streets, in our parks and at our schools can be blown or washed into rivers, forests, lakes and oceans, and, will eventually pollute waterways, soil and aquatic environments. Based on recent data, 7 billion tons of debris enter the world’s oceans annually and much of it is long-lasting plastic.

Plastic litter is another threat to the environment and its inhabitants. It has often been mistaken for food by both land and marine wildlife. When consumed by animals, they reduce the stomach capacity since they cannot be digested. In the long-term it affects the animals’ eating habits, eventually killing the animals.

Along with learning these critical environmental facts, students in this program explore how litter from their school can make its way into nearby waterways, impacting ecosystems and wildlife.

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III
• Part IV
• Part V

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I. Exploring the School Site and Collecting Data
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Using a school site map and a visual observation data form, students survey the campus and collect data about the location and volume of trash and litter found on the outdoor school site. With this data, students discuss the type of litter and trash and who is responsible for it being on the ground at school.

II. Developing Strategies and Messaging
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With a target audience identified, students develop messaging and strategies in order to achieve behavior change to stop littering. Some of the messaging tools include posters, announcements, and presentations.
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III. Designing an Educational Campaign
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Students refine their messaging and complete their messaging tools. After refining the campaign, students meet with school administrators and custodians to discuss and schedule the education campaign. In addition, the students conduct a school site cleanup of litter to demonstrate what a clean campus can look like

IV. Implementing the Clean Campus Campaign
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This weeklong campaign engages the entire student body and staff. The posters, announcements, presentations and social conformity efforts (picking up trash and litter during lunch) are conducted by students who have participated in the program.
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V. Collecting Final Data and Reporting
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After the “Clean Campus Campaign” students conduct a final “On Land Visual Observation”. A final report is prepared by inserting data from the two OLVO, with examples from the campaign along with recommendations for continuing. This report is presented to the school principal.
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Benefits to educators and students

• Hands-on project-based learning that easily integrates into curriculum and aligns with NGSS
• Exposes students to career pathways including municipal public works, water regulatory agencies, and environmental engineering firms.
• Develops critical data analysis and engineering design skills
• Develops confidence in public speaking and presentation and passion for environmental advocacy
  
• Connects students with community through public outreach
• Develops passion for environmental leadership
• Builds experiences and skills for resumes and applications

Features of our programs

• Comprehensive educational materials customized for the local watershed, the school site, the teacher,  and the experience level of the students
• Digital files customized with information from local agencies, along with water systems, and local environmental concerns  
• Continued one-on-one teacher consultation with certified water quality expert
• Includes all necessary equipment for school site water testing, with personal protective equipment for class
• Final report development materials and presentation planning