WEEK 3

Watch 'A Whales Tale'

Ask: What does pollution mean? Extract that it is things that are put into the ocean which are harmful.

What did you see in the clip that was polluting the ocean?

Explain that today we are going to learn about pollution in our oceans and how we can help to clean up our oceans and keep them healthy.

EXPERIMENT-OCEAN POLLUTION

Fill a plastic bin/tub half full of water and add shells, pebbles, plastic animals, a boat etc to replicate the ocean. Save a sample of this fresh water for later.

Mix cocoa powder and vegetable oil into a bowl and then start to dribble into the water and explain that this is what happens when there is an oil spill into our oceans.

Then add some ground coffee/crush some normal coffee into the water and discuss how much more polluted it has become. Finally add some shredded-up plastic bags and mix around watching how it gets entangled with the sea creatures. You can also twist elastic bands around some plastic animals/sea creatures that you have at home.

Use fine motor tools such as tweezers to try to untangle the plastic from the animals and use sponges to try to absorb the oil and other pollution.

Use fairy liquid and brushes to try to clean the oil off the animals.

Compare the samples from before pollution and after and look at the devastating effects pollution has on our oceans.

Discuss what has happened with your child and allow them to ask questions.