EarthEcho International launched new teaching tools dubbed “EarthEcho Expedition: PlasticSeas” to get kids excited about science and propel them into action to prevent plastic pollution from plaguing the ocean.

The teaching tools, which include videos, lesson plans and design challenges, are available free of charge to any teacher worldwide and are the culmination of a recent expedition in Australia, sponsored by the Northrop Grumman Foundation. All classroom materials were developed collaboratively and vetted by the 28 participating Australian and American educators who currently serve as EarthEcho Expedition Fellows. 

The “EarthEcho Expedition: PlasticSeas” suite of classroom resources are available beginning January 15 and will kick off with a virtual field trip. Philippe Cousteau, Jr., EarthEcho International founder and grandson of the legendary explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau, made the announcement.

"We've all seen horrifying pictures of animals stuck in discarded plastic six-pack rings around their necks in the ocean. In Australia, we swam alongside fur seals, cleaned up a beach, discovered a new species of dolphin, learned about 'urban' penguins and, most disturbingly, found plastics while dissecting dried bird vomit," said Cousteau in a statement. "We need to find better solutions to combat the devastating impact plastic pollution is having on one of our most important resources: the ocean. This is about inspiring children to lead change by giving them tools and guidance along the way—because we can't have lasting change without them."

Made possible by the Northrop Grumman Foundation, EarthEcho's latest series of teaching tools includes everything teachers need to convey the enormity of the plastics pollution problem, what actions are currently in play and what students can do to help.

"Northrop Grumman is thrilled to support EarthEcho International in their release of expedition-related educational materials again this year," said Sandra Evers-Manly, president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation and Northrop Grumman vice president of global corporate responsibility, in a statement. "We look forward to classrooms around the world using these materials to spark student enthusiasm of STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] concepts and the environment."

The “EarthEcho Expedition: PlasticSeas” classroom materials include the following elements:

EarthEcho partnered with the following organizations on its expedition: Parks Victoria, Plastic Pollution Solutions, Tangaroa Blue, The Marine Mammal Foundation, Port Phillip EcoCentre, Melbourne Down Under, Sheree Marris, Sustainability Victoria, The Melbourne Zoo, Victoria University, Red Boats, University of Tasmania and The North Face.