Ocean Debris STEM Engineering Design Challenge | 4th Grade STEM Trailblazers

Lesson Overview

Ocean Debris STEM Engineering Design Challenge | 4th Grade STEM Trailblazers

In this unit, students explore ways to clean up ocean debris. They begin by learning what ocean debris is, how dangerous it is for wildlife, and the ways it can impact people and communities. Inspired by the true story of a Dutch inventor, Boyan Slat, students discover how scientists are working to clean up our oceans from plastics.

Through hands-on investigations, students test different methods to clean debris from water. They use the data they collect to make informed engineering decisions as they design and build an ocean debris cleaner.

Throughout the challenge, students take on the roles of scientists and engineers, applying their understanding of ocean debris, problem-solving skills, and the engineering design process to create and improve their ocean debris cleaners.

Students Will Learn:

• How we are currently trying to clean up the oceans

• To name one type of new technology we are using to clean up the oceans

• Which materials for their ocean debris cleaner are the most effective

• Which material is best at floating, being waterproof and capturing microplastics 

• How math is helpful in describing their design

• How to collect and analyze data

• AND MORE!

STEM Trailblazers Storyline (Adaptable for Grades 3 - 5): Welcome, Trailblazers. As a park ranger, our job is to protect wild places, keep ecosystems healthy, and teach visitors how to care for the land. But the challenges are growing due to climate change, pollution, endangered species and more! We need the next generation of rangers… that’s you!

History’s Explorers: Throughout history, there have been trailblazers—people who dared to explore, discover, and protect the natural world. From early navigators who mapped volcanoes and rivers, to today’s scientists who use satellites to track climate change, these trailblazers show us how curiosity and courage can change the future.

Modern Innovators: You will walk in their footsteps, face the challenges of Earth’s systems, including land, water, air, and life, and design solutions for a sustainable tomorrow.

Engineering Learning Goals in this unit include:

• Real-World Connections: Learn about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and what a Marine Scientist does and how they contribute to the Seabin Project

• Making: Build a functioning model using common materials that can remove debris and microplastics from water. Re-design based on testing data.

• Habits of Mind: Define the criteria and constraints of the engineering problem, use data and research to inform design decisions, and evaluate design performance and identify ways to improve.

• Science: Explore materials to find out which ones can float, be waterproof and capture microplastics.

• Technology: Learn different technologies to clean up the ocean, including Mr. Trash Wheel.

• Math: Collecting data to make informed design decisions.

Included in this product:

• Aligned to: NGSS, TEKS, and ITEEA Standards

• Complete Teacher Guide following the engineering design process

• Materials list and activity suggestions

• Editable teaching slides

• Student handouts for each phase of the design process, including science background, STEM career connection, and more!

• Two versions of student badges for completing the mission: pre-colored or a black and white option for students to color themselves to celebrate!

Recommended Supplies

Student Materials:

• Sponges, loosely woven cloth, mesh fabric

• Pool noodles, bubble wrap, pieces of foam, foam egg cartons, balloons

• Pipe cleaners, small plastic pipes, popsicle sticks, strong straws

• Plastic cups of various sizes

• Ziploc bags - small & large

• Scissors, hole puncher 

• An ice pick (small, example shown in teacher guide)

• String or rope 

• Duct tape and masking tape

• Hot glue gun with glue sticks

Limiting materials can be used as a design constraint.

Testing Materials:

• Large tub of water or a small baby pool

• Ocean debris like plastic bags, bottle caps, straws, cups

• Perler beads to represent microplastics (linked in teacher guide)

2021 Science TEKS Standards Alignment (Texas)

• Practices:3.1A-B, D-G; 3.2A, C-D; 3.3A-B; 4.1A-B, D-G; 4.2A, C-D; 4.3A-B; 5.1A-B, D-G; 5.2A, C-D; 5.3A-B 

• Content:3.12A; 4.12A; 4.12B; 5.13A; 5.13B