Description
This event is based around the documentary “A Plastic Ocean”, but can be adapted for any kind of science-related documentary that encourages behavioural change. A shortened version of this documentary (approx. 20 minutes) can be integrated into a double lesson for a school activity, combined with a related activity to reinforce the lesson objectives and the message shown in the documentary.
Using a multi-pronged approach to learning, and adapting the activities for different ages/subjects, means that this is a versatile event to run and can benefit a wide range of school audiences.
One goal particular to Plastic Ocean is tackling a societal challenge and learning about the underlying science of oceans and the impacts of pollution. This is achieved by watching a documentary that presents these challenge and combining it with an activity that reinforces the science behind them. The activity should be centred around inquiry-based learning, a form of active learning that starts with the problem scenario presented in the screened documentary, and allows for the participants to ask questions and come up with potential solutions to the problem.
For the organiser (or a volunteer going into a school), this can help the participants to engage with these social issues. By interacting with their audience and allowing them the freedom to try and solve the problem in their own way, an element of co-creation and knowledge sharing is introduced allowing for a deeper understanding of the subject to all involved in the activity.
Target Audience
- Children 7-12
- Teenagers
You can do it with all those groups, but we did it with professionals from different fields like public engagement or the cultural and creative sector.
Benefits
Benefits
The idea of inquiry-based learning is now deeply rooted in the mind of many science educators, and a recent meta-analysis of studies into the efficacy of inquiry-based learning confirms that there is a positive effect on learning outcomes (1), and allows for the particiapnts to tke a more active role in their learning. To facilitate this process the organiser can use an engagment tool, for example Edward De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats: one group manages the discussion; one group focuses purely on facts, another purely on emotions; one group applies logical thinking to potential benefits, another applies it to potential concerns; and finally, one group takes care of creative, outside the box thinking (2).
1)Lazonder, A. & Barbagallo, F. & Harmsen, R. Meta-analysis of inquiry-based learning: Effects of guidance. Review of Educational Research. 86(3), 681–718 (2016).
2)De Bono, Edward. Six Thinking Hats (Book). Penguin (2016)
Preparations
Project Timeline
Time | Activity |
Months in advance |
|
Weeks in advance |
|
On the day |
|
Single Event Structure
Time | Activity |
30 mins |
|
60 mins |
|
Personnel roles
Person | Activity |
Core Team |
|
Teachers |
|
Resources
While the Plastic Ocean documentary is available via Netflix, find more information about the process behind it, along with more about the foundation “Plastic Oceans”, on their website:
An education and resources guide for the A plastic Ocean documentary can be found here:
PO_Educational_Sup_v16_NOV2018
A similar documentary can be found for free on Youtube