ocean-in-a-bottle

Subject: Science/Environment/Ocean Awareness

Number of Participants: 20-25

Age of Participants: 5 – 12 years

Time Allotment: 30 minutes

Required Supplies/Equipment:

  • Recycled plastic bottles
  • Sand
  • Water
  • Small rocks and seashells
  • Blue food coloring
  • Mineral oil

Objective: to increase kids’ awareness about the pollution and other threats to our ocean and marine life, to educate them on what they can do to help, to encourage recycling and ocean appreciation through a fun art project

Class Breakdown:

  • 5 minutes of introduction of activity, demonstration, and expectations
  • 20 minutes of activity
  • 5 minutes clean-up

Instruction:

  • Before beginning this project, inform children the threats that our ocean currently faces because of our pollution. One of the most serious threats to our oceans is plastics pollution. Plastic constitutes approximately 90% of all trash floating on the ocean’s surface. DID YOU KNOW..  Over 100,000 marine mammals and one million seabirds die each year from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic.
    • Then explain that THEY are able to help this.. there are actions they can take to help save our seas and marine life! Tell them some of the things they may do to help (NEVER LITTER, reduce reuse recycle, be water wise, etc). Have each kid think of a way that they may help the ocean and write it down.
  • Fill up bottles about a quarter of the way with sand.
  • Kids may now put some rocks and sea shells in their bottles. Once they are done, fill bottle the rest of the way with water.
  • Mix blue food coloring and water in a separate bottle until you achieve a clear blue color resembling the ocean.
  • Turn the bottle upright and watch all of the sand and material fall to the bottom of the bottle.
  • Pour the blue water into your bottle until it is filled about two thirds of the way to the top. Pour mineral oil into the bottle until the level of the fluid reaches the opening of the bottleneck.
  • Voila! Now they each have their own ocean in a bottle!
  • Clean up / debrief.
  • (optional / if time allows / alternative activity) go on a walk around school and pick up trash. Make sure kids have gloves and wash hands afterwards. Kids may find small rocks to add to their bottles

Review: Rules and expectations

Core Values/Life Skills: Respect, responsibility, caring, being eco-friendly, saving our sea creature friends