The JPII 6th grade students recently took an exciting trip to the Port Royal Sound, where they explored a valuable local environmental resource. During the visit, the students learned about the concept of watersheds and how our actions directly affect the environment. "Through hands-on activities," said JPII teacher Nicole Schatzle, "the students built a model watershed and observed how pollutants like chemicals and trash can impact ecosystems. They also discovered the presence of microplastics in the water, examining samples from the dock under a microscope to identify tiny plastic fibers and living organisms. The day wrapped up with a relaxing picnic by the sound."
These questions set the stage for an engaging and educational experience where students learned the answers during their field trip:
- What is a Watershed? A watershed is an area of land that drains rainwater or snowmelt into a single body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. Everything within a watershed is interconnected, meaning that any pollution or change in one part of the watershed affects the whole system. It's important for middle schoolers to learn about watersheds because it helps them understand how local environments are linked to larger ecosystems. By knowing this, they can recognize how human activities, like agriculture or urban development, can influence water quality and environmental health.
- Impact of Chemicals and Trash on the Environment? Chemicals and trash, when improperly disposed of, can enter water systems and soil, causing pollution that affects wildlife and humans alike. Chemicals can disrupt ecosystems, harm aquatic life, and contaminate drinking water. Trash, especially plastics, can take decades or centuries to decompose, causing long-term environmental damage. Teaching middle schoolers about these impacts fosters environmental responsibility and helps them see how their actions can either harm or protect their surroundings.
- What are Microplastics and How They Get into the Environment? Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, often less than 5 millimeters in size, that originate from the breakdown of larger plastic items or are manufactured for specific purposes (e.g., microbeads in cosmetics). These particles are found everywhere, from oceans to freshwater systems, and they can be ingested by wildlife, entering the food chain and posing health risks. Middle school students benefit from learning about microplastics because it raises awareness about the long-lasting consequences of plastic waste and encourages them to be more mindful of recycling and reducing plastic use in their daily lives.
Teaching these concepts equips students with the knowledge to make environmentally conscious decisions and promotes a deeper connection to the world around them.