ARTICLES AND DATA
A curated collection of fascinating datasets, reliable articles, and other resources for educators and students to explore.
SINGLE TOPIC ONE-PAGERS
ARTICLES AND EXTERNAL RESOURCES
Waste Only: How the Plastics Industry Is Fighting to Keep Polluting the World
Resource Type: Article
Source: The Intercept
Publication Date: 7/20/2019
Topic: Plastic Pollution
Grade Level: 4th – 12th
Summary: Summary of the prevalence of plastics in our world, the problems associated with it, and the industry working to maintain the status quo.
Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet
Resource Type: Article
Source: Science Advances
Publication Date: 7/19/2017
Topic: Plastic Pollution
Grade Level: 6th – 12th
Summary: The first global analysis of all mass-produced plastics ever manufactured. The analysis finds that as of 2015, approximately 6300 Mt of plastic waste had been generated, around 9 percent of which had been recycled, 12 percent incinerated, and 79 percent had accumulated in landfills or the natural environment. The analysis also includes predictions for the future based on current trends.
Synthetic Polymer Contamination in Bottled Water
Resource Type: Article
Source: Frontiers in Chemistry
Publication Date: 9/11/2018
Topic: Plastic Pollution
Grade Level: 3rd – 12th
Summary: A dive into the microplastic contamination levels of bottled water products.
Your Bottled Water Probably Has Plastic In It. Should You Worry?
Resource Type: Article
Source: Time Magazine
Publication Date: 5/29/2019
Topic: Plastic Pollution
Grade Level: 5th – 12th
Summary: An overview of the research on microplastics in bottled water.
How Much Plastic is in the Ocean?
Resource Type: Video
Source: PBS Studios
Publication Date: 3/1/2017
Topic: Plastic Pollution
Grade Level: 5th – 12th
Summary: A kid-friendly intro to quantifying plastic inputs, the Pacific gyre/garbage patch, and marine debris. (Run time: 04:59)
Cleaning up the Plastic in the Ocean
Resource Type: Video; Article
Source: 60 Minutes: CBS News (video available to view with CBS All Access account; transcript of video available to all)
Publication Date: 8/18/2019
Topic: Plastic Pollution
Grade Level: 4th – 12th
Summary: Explains the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The video describes how these plastics get there, consequences for our marine environment, and what is being done to stop it. (Run time: 26:53)
Central Park Races to Save a Rare Duck Gagging on a Piece of Plastic
Resource Type: Article
Source: New York Times
Publication Date: 2/4/2020
Topic: Plastic Pollution
Grade Level: 4th – 12th
Summary: New Yorkers come together to try to save a bird in Central Park suffering from starvation as a result of trash entanglement.
The Behavioral Economics of Recycling
Resource Type: Article
Source: Harvard Business Review
Publication Date: 12/7/2016
Topic: Recycling
Grade Level: 3rd – 12th
Summary: A short article about the psychology of recycling.
Tennessee among states looking to outlaw local plastic bag bans
Resource Type: Article
Source: Tennessean
Publication Date: 3/25/2019
Topic: Regulation
Grade Level: 3rd – 12th
Summary: A short article about the state pf Tennessee banning local plastic bag bans.
European parliament votes to ban single-use plastics
Resource Type: Article
Source: The Guardian
Publication Date: 3/27/2019
Topic: Regulation
Grade Level: here
Summary: A short article about the European parliament voting to ban single-use plastic cutlery, cotton buds, straws and stirrers in order to prevent pollution and protect the ocean.
NASA Climate Kids
Resource Type: Website
Source: NASA
Publication Date: Last updated 7/10/2019
Topic: Climate Change
Grade Level: 3rd – 12th
Summary: Trusted educational resource for kids to learn about climate change topics; videos, activities, and more for teachers to use in classrooms
Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet
Resource Type: Website
Source: NASA
Publication Date: Last updated 7/23/2019
Topic: Climate Change
Grade Level: 6th – 12th
Summary: An site from trusted source with interactive features, stats, news, and facts about climate change.
NOAA Climate.gov: Science & Information for a Climate-Smart Nation
Resource Type: Website
Source: NOAA
Publication Date: Last updated 7/23/2019
Topic: Climate Change
Grade Level: 6th – 12th
Summary: A site from a trusted source featuring climate-centered news, facts, maps, data, and teaching resources.
Birds Are Trying To Adapt To Climate Change — But Is It Too Little, Too Late?
Resource Type: Article
Source: NPR
Publication Date: 7/26/2019
Topic: Climate Change
Grade Level: 6th – 12th
Summary: An article exploring the research being done to see if animals are changing their behaviors to adapt to a changing climate, and whether the behavior change is sufficient or not.
