Plastic Team Visits Local Primary School to talk Trash

In September 2013 my outreach partner and dear friend Tiffany Gray and I sat on the couch of her apartment and devised an elaborate plan to deliver the message of plastic pollution to 4^th, 5^th and 6^th graders of the North Eleuthera Primary School.  Initially we were in way over our heads as we planned to present a slideshow filled with graphic photos of turtles, whales and birds affected by plastic pollution in addition to some mind boggling facts. Once we arrived to the primary school we discovered that there was no way we were going to touch these students in a positive way by speaking at them and making them feel guilty for something they were unaware of. We wanted to be able to talk, play and relate to them instead via a different approach.

Once we got into the classroom the magic happened instantly!! We enlightened the students on the issues of plastic use by relating it back to their daily lives. To our surprise the students were well aware of the effects plastic pollution had on the marine environment. Within minutes we had the entire class on their feet acting out the ocean gyres (circulating currents that trap marine debris) and coming up with solutions to help tackle the issue. Before we left the school we got invited to talk to the 2^nd graders about pollution and let me tell you the promise of this country resides in each and every one of those students. They were so excited to learn all about marine pollution and urged us to keep our beaches clean in an amazing turn of events. During our visit we spoke to over sixty kids! It was such an amazing experience empowering the younger generation of The Bahamas to make a change regarding their plastic choices. After all they will be the ones responsible for cleaning up the mess that our generation has created.

5th Graders say no to single use plastics 

2nd graders say keep our beaches clean