Microplastics up Snowdon

Lake and mountains

This lesson plan will help students from Y5 to Y8 evaluate and assess some recent news stories from the waste industry, understanding what is going on and what might be happening behind the scenes when we read things online.

See more about improving digital and media literacy for KS2 and KS3 students on our PSHE and Life Skills related page on media literacy.

The activity here will help improve students’ critical thinking skills as they compare different types of information about microplastics found in a lake on Mount Snowdon.

Microplastics are released from plastic clothing (ie. clothes made from nylon, polyester – especially fleece – and acrylic) when they are washed, making their way into the environment through water courses and drains. Some microplastics may also be released into the air during active wear. Microplastics are invisible to the naked eye but can be seen under a microscopes. Spectral analysis can find out the type of plastic, and sometimes point to a source of the pollution.

Download Lesson Plan on Digital Literacy: Microplastics on Snowdon

Download PowerPoint for Digital Literacy Lesson: Microplastics on Snowdon

Plastic Worksheets KS2

This activity will help KS2 children to understand some of the properties of plastic as a material and the impacts on the environment. It links with the National Curriculum and is a fun and active way of teaching science.

Downloadable Worksheets

Key Stage 2 Worksheet: Comparing Straws

(pdf) Download KS2 Worksheet: Comparing Straws

(Word) Download KS2 Worksheet: Comparing Straws

(Word) Download KS2 Recording Sheet: Comparing Straws

Link to KS2 Plastics Zone Schools Playlist