Critical thinking - understanding a real-world problem
What You'll Do
Write an essay about plastic pollution that answers this question: How can we reduce plastic pollution in our oceans?
In your essay, you should:
Explain the problem (what is plastic pollution and why does it matter?)
Describe at least 2-3 solutions or alternatives to plastic
Use facts from your sources to support your ideas
Cite at least 3 different sources
Conclude with a summary of your analysis and a Call to Action (what should readers do next?)
Format Requirements
Length: 1.5-2 pages (double-spaced)
Font: Times New Roman or Times, 12pt
Margins: 1 inch on all sides
Header: Your name, teacher's name, class/section, date
Include in-text citations & a Works Cited page with all sources
Understanding the Problem: Plastic Pollution (from A Plastic Ocean by Craig Leeson)
What is plastic pollution? Plastic is everywhere—we use it for bottles, bags, packaging, and toys. While plastic is useful and cheap, there's a huge problem: it doesn't break down easily. Once we throw it away, plastic stays in our environment for hundreds of years.
Why does it matter? About 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year. This plastic breaks into tiny pieces called microplastics, harming sea animals, fish, and entire ocean ecosystems. The ocean keeps our planet healthy by providing food, oxygen, and helping control our climate. Plastic pollution is destroying marine life and entering the food chain.
Key facts to remember:
Plastic takes 400+ years to decompose in nature
Over 5 trillion plastic bags are used every year
Marine animals mistake plastic for food
Scientists are inventing new materials to replace plastic
Getting Started
Understand the plastic pollution problem (read above)
Check out the Sources tab for the article, book info, and videos
Take notes on facts you want to use in your essay
Plan your essay before you write
Use the Citations tab to make sure you cite correctly
Due Date: Tuesday, September 29th
Understanding Plastic Pollution
The Problem
Plastic is everywhere. We use it for bottles, bags, packaging, and toys. While plastic is useful and cheap, there's a huge problem: it doesn't break down easily. Once we throw it away, plastic stays in our environment for hundreds of years.
The Ocean Crisis: About 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year. This plastic breaks into tiny pieces called microplastics, harming sea animals, fish, and entire ocean ecosystems.
Why This Matters for 7th Graders
The ocean keeps our planet healthy. It provides food, oxygen, and helps control our climate. Plastic pollution is destroying marine life and entering the food chain. Understanding this problem helps you become an informed citizen who can make better choices and inspire others to do the same.
Key Facts to Remember
Plastic takes 400+ years to decompose in nature
Over 5 trillion plastic bags are used every year
Marine animals mistake plastic for food
Scientists are inventing new materials to replace plastic
Good News: Solutions Exist!
Scientists and engineers are working on amazing alternatives to traditional plastic. From biodegradable materials made from sugar and mushrooms to edible water bottles, there are many creative solutions. The key is finding materials that work as well as plastic but break down naturally without harming the environment.
Sources & Research Materials - SCROLL to see each Resource.
Below are your main sources for this project.
You'll find the article text, links to videos, and citation information for each source.
You will have to SCROLL to see the information about each source.
📄 "Five Weird Materials That Could Replace Plastic"
Author: Jessica Hullinger | Source: The Week | Date: June 16, 2017
In-Text Citation: (Hullinger)
Full Citation:
Hullinger, Jessica. "Five Weird Materials That Could Replace Plastic." The Week, 16 June 2017.
Five Weird Materials That Could Replace Plastic
Plastic is a wonder: it's malleable, so it can be molded into a variety of useful objects—from bottles to bags to medical supplies. According to one study, we've manufactured enough plastic since World War II to coat the entire globe in a layer of saran wrap. The problem, of course, is that for all its benefits, plastic is pretty rough on the environment. Much of it lands in the ocean, with one study suggesting as much as 8 million metric tons of plastic found its way to the ocean in 2010. However, scientists know this is a problem, and are working hard to find a solution by developing alternatives to plastic.
Sugar + Carbon Dioxide
The latest effort comes from the University of Bath, where researchers have created a new type of plastic that's biodegradable and made from two common ingredients: sugar and carbon dioxide. "This new plastic is a renewable alternative to fossil-fuel based polymers, potentially inexpensive, and, because it is biodegradable, will not contribute to growing ocean and landfill waste," explains Antoine Buchard, Whorrod Research Fellow at the university's department of chemistry. And, because this new material is bio-compatible, it could be used in medical devices and implants, so that's cool.
Edible Water Bottles
Before you picture yourself gnawing on a Dasani bottle, check out the Ooho, a "bubble-like sphere of water." The H2O is protected inside a gelatinous film that's made of plants, so it's biodegradable, but it's also entirely edible. Meaning in the future, you might be eating your water, not drinking it. The downside: The portions are pretty small. Plus, once you've bitten into the bubble, it can't be re-sealed, so you've gotta drink the whole thing. But that might not be so bad, considering we're all dehydrated all the time.
'Smart Mud'
Researchers at the University of Tokyo think they've created a revolutionary material in the lab by mixing water with clay and a little extra something to thicken it up: a "molecular glue" called sodium polyacrylate. "The mixture is almost 98 percent water," New Scientist explains, but it transforms into a sort of mud, or gel, that could potentially become very strong. Bonus: This stuff is "self-healing" and can regain its strength, even if it breaks under pressure.
Mushrooms
A company called Ecovative Design is mixing natural ingredients (like oats or hemp) with mushroom cells, or mycelia, which grows and binds the mixture together into a solid mat. Put these mats into a mold, and voila: You've got a container, carton, or canister that's eco-friendly. According to Phys.org, this mushroom material can break down in a landfill in about 180 days. Ecovative is marketing its innovation as a replacement for traditional styrofoam. And if you want to grow your own customized mold, that's an option, too.
Shrimp Shells
An engineering professor at the University of Nottingham in the U.K. is taking a different approach: She wants to make biodegradable bags out of shrimp shells. For now, her project is aimed specifically at Egypt, where there is a huge overabundance of crustacean shell waste. The shells are collected, boiled in acid to make them less brittle, and stripped down to a plastic bag-like material. Just two pounds of shells can yield 15 biodegradable shopping bags.
Full Citation:
Smith-Llera, Danielle. Trash Vortex. Capstone, 2018.
We're reading this book in class. Use examples and facts from the chapters we've discussed to support your essay.
🎥 "Trash Talk: Why is Plastic Marine Debris So Common?"
Creators: Kurt Mann and Tom Shortridge | Source: NOAA Ocean Today | Date: June 4, 2015
In-Text Citation: (Mann and Shortridge)
Full Citation:
Mann, Kurt, and Tom Shortridge. "TRASH TALK: Why is Plastic Marine Debris So Common?" Ocean Today, NOAA, marinedebris.noaa.gov/video-gallery/trash-talk.
This short video explains why plastic pollution is such a big problem in our oceans and what scientists are doing about it.
How to Use These Sources
As you read the article and watch the video, take notes on information that helps answer your essay question: "How can we reduce plastic pollution in our oceans?" Look for:
Facts about the plastic pollution problem
Specific solutions or alternatives mentioned
Details you can use as evidence in your essay
Interesting examples you want to include
Citations & Plagiarism
❌ DO NOT Use AI
Do not use ChatGPT, Gemini, or any AI to write your essay. Using AI to write your work is cheating, and I'll know it's not your real thinking. For this project, YOUR ideas and YOUR voice matter most.
What is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism means using someone else's words or ideas without giving them credit. It's unfair to the author and hurts your learning. Here are the main types to avoid:
Copying & pasting: Taking text directly without quotation marks
Paraphrasing without citing: Rewording someone's ideas without crediting them
Not citing your sources: Forgetting to add citations
Mixing sources: Not clearly showing which facts came from which source
Ignoring quotes: Using someone's exact words without quotation marks
AI plagiarism: Submitting AI-generated work as your own
How to Paraphrase Correctly
Paraphrasing means putting someone's ideas into your own words. You MUST still cite the source!
The H2O is protected inside a gelatinous film that's made of plants, so it's biodegradable. (Hullinger)
This is too close to the original. You're just changing a few words.
Scientists created a water bottle made from plants that you can actually eat after you drink the water inside (Hullinger).
This explains the idea in new words and includes a citation.
How to Quote Correctly
Use quotes when the exact words are important. Always use quotation marks and cite the source!
Scientists are working hard to find a solution by developing alternatives to plastic.
This exact sentence needs quotation marks AND a citation.
According to the article, "scientists know this is a problem, and are working hard to find a solution by developing alternatives to plastic" (Hullinger).
Quotation marks show this is the original wording. The citation tells where it came from.
Quick Citation Format for This Project
For in-text citations (inside your essay): Use the author's last name or video creators' names in parentheses.
(Hullinger) or (Mann and Shortridge)
For the Works Cited page (at the end): List full citations alphabetically.
Hullinger, Jessica. "Five Weird Materials That Could Replace Plastic." The Week, 16 June 2017.
Mann, Kurt, and Tom Shortridge. "TRASH TALK: Why is Plastic Marine Debris So Common?" Ocean Today, NOAA, marinedebris.noaa.gov/video-gallery/trash-talk.
Before You Submit
Grading Rubric
Your essay will be graded on these five categories. Each category is worth up to 20 points for a total of 100 points.
Category
Exceptional (19-20 pts)
Excellent (17-18 pts)
Good/Fair (11-16 pts)
Poor (0-10 pts)
Thesis & Organization
Clear thesis that identifies why plastic pollution is a problem & the possibility of one or more sollutions. Ideas organized into paragraphs with distinct topic sentences, distinct focuses, and excellent transitions.
Clear thesis. Ideas organized logically with good transitions.
Thesis present but could be clearer. Some organizational issues.
No clear thesis or confusing organization.
Evidence & Support
Uses 3+ sources with specific, detailed facts and examples throughout. Essay contains required, correctly-formatted in-text citations and Works Cited page.
Uses 2-3 sources with strong facts and examples. Essay uses in-text citations and Works Cited page, but they may not all be formatted correctly.
Uses sources but needs more specific details or examples. In-text citations may be missing or the Works Cited may be missing.
Few sources used or lacking specific, cited support.
Voice & Style
Word choice is varied, precise and sophisticated. The student used a formal, academic tone and sophisticated vocabulary.
Word choice is precise and
appropriate.
Word choice is functional.
Hard to follow, unclear, or difficult to read.
Grammar & Mechanics
Nearly perfect. Almost no spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors.
Few errors. Errors don't interfere with meaning.
Several errors but essay is still readable.
Many errors make reading very difficult.
On Time
Submitted on time with no late deduction (20 pts).
Submitted 1 day late (15 pts).
Submitted 2+ days late (minus five points for each day late)
Tips for Exceptional Work
Start with an outline to organize your ideas clearly
Show YOUR thinking and opinions, not just facts from sources
Use specific examples from the article, book, and video
Proofread carefully for spelling and grammar mistakes
Make sure your whole essay answers the main question: "How can we reduce plastic pollution in our oceans?"