Marine Debris Science Worksheet for 10-Year-Olds | Environmental Education

Instructions

Read the information and complete the activities below to learn about marine debris and how we can help protect our oceans.

Part 1: What is Marine Debris?

Marine debris is the name for any human-made trash that has ended up in an ocean or sea. It can be a plastic bottle that floated down a river, a balloon that fell from the sky, or a fishing net lost from a boat. Natural things, like seaweed or driftwood, are not considered marine debris. This trash is a big problem because it can harm sea creatures who might mistake it for food or get tangled in it.

Activity: Look at the list of items below. Decide if each one is Human-Made Debris or Natural Debris. Write each item under the correct heading in the boxes.

• Plastic bottle
• Seashell
• Fishing line
• Seaweed
• Wooden log
• Food wrapper
• Fallen leaf
• Aluminum can
• Glass jar
• Palm frond

Part 2: The Problem with Plastic

Plastic is one of the most common and dangerous types of marine debris. Use the words in the word bank to complete the sentences below and find out why.

1. Unlike an apple core, plastic is not _____________________, which means it doesn’t break down and rot away naturally.


2. Plastic can stay in the ocean almost _____________________, breaking into smaller and smaller pieces over hundreds of years.


3. These tiny, almost invisible plastic pieces are called _____________________.


4. Marine _____________________ can mistake pieces of plastic for food.


5. Eating plastic is very _____________________ and can make sea creatures sick or even cause them to starve.

Part 3: Cause and Effect

Draw a line to match the Cause on the left with its Effect on the right.

Part 4: Be the Solution!

We all have a part to play in keeping our oceans clean. Brainstorm three things you and your family can do to help reduce marine debris.

1. ____________________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________________________

Answer Key

Part 1: What is Marine Debris?

Part 2: The Problem with Plastic

1. biodegradable
2. forever
3. microplastics
4. animals
5. harmful

Part 3: Cause and Effect

1. D. A plastic bag blows into the ocean from a beach. → A sea turtle might mistake it for a tasty jellyfish and eat it, which can block its stomach.
2. A. A large fishing net is lost at sea. → This "ghost net" can float for years, trapping and harming whales, dolphins, and seals.
3. B. A plastic bottle breaks down into tiny pieces over many years. → Fish might eat these microplastics, which is harmful to them and other animals in the food web.
4. C. A family leaves their trash behind after a picnic on the sand. → The tide can wash it into the water, where it adds to the pollution and can hurt animals.

Part 4: Be the Solution!

Answers will vary. Example answers could include:

• Use reusable water bottles and shopping bags.
• Make sure trash is always put in a secure bin.
• Participate in a local beach or river cleanup.
• Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle plastic, glass, and metal.
• Never release balloons into the air.