Number of Participants: 20-25

Age of Participants: 5 – 12

Time Allotment: 30 minutes

Required Supplies/Equipment:

  • recycled large plastic water bottle
  • recycled plastic shopping bag
  • rubber band
  • scissors
  • food coloring

Objective: to create an awesome sea creature and to teach kids the properties of water/buoyancy

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.
  • cut the handles off  the bag to make a nice neat square.  Trim the closed end off.
  • bunch the middle of the bag to form the jellyfish’s head. Tie it off with the rubber band.
  • cut strips all around the bag to make the tentacles.
  • place inside the bottle, and fill the bottle with water.
  • put a couple of drops of food coloring in.
  • put cap on waterbottle, shake it up, and watch  the “jellyfish” float depending on whatever direction you hold the bottle.
  • explain some of the properties of water and plastic, and why the jellyfish floats.

Review: Rules and expectations

Core Values/Life Skills: Creativity, responsibility, intelligence, knowledge