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Where does the plastic drift to? The adventurous journey of a plastic particle

An adventurous journey

Have you ever wondered what happens to all the plastic we use? In this worksheet, we explore this question and embark on an adventurous journey. We follow a tiny piece of plastic and discover how it sets off to explore the world!

The Journey of Tyre Abrasion

Hello there! I'm Polly, a tiny piece of plastic, living in a car tyre. Every time the car speeds down the road, I slowly break free from the tyre, along with many of my friends. This happens because of the constant rubbing between the tyre and the road, especially when the car brakes hard or makes sharp turns. Did you know that a tyre can lose up to a kilo of weight throughout its life due to this process? It's fascinating!

My journey starts on the busy roads. I get swept away by rainwater and find myself traveling through the sewer system. Sometimes, I sink directly into the soil or get washed into streams and rivers. I'm not alone on this adventure; many other particles join me, made not only of rubber but also of dust and various substances from the road.

Once in the water, thrilling adventures await. I encounter fish and other aquatic creatures. Unfortunately, I'm a hazard to them. They might accidentally swallow me while eating, and since I'm stubborn and don't break down easily, I stick around in their bodies for a long time. This can make them sick and even upset the balance of the food chain.

Tyre abrasion is one of the largest sources of microplastics in the environment. In Germany alone, around 150,000 tonnes of it end up in nature every year. It's a big problem because these tiny plastic bits hurt not just the water, but living creatures too, possibly making their way to our dinner plates.

So, here I am, Polly, a small plastic particle, entering the world through tyre abrasion, causing trouble without meaning to. But my journey is just beginning! There's much more to explore soon.

Polly is still travelling. Listen to what she's experiencing!

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📋 Select the correct answer from the options provided.

📋 Assignment

Write a short text on the given question.

Polly's journey is coming to an end. Let's see what she experiences!

Polly and the Never-Ending Journey of Tyre Wear Particles

As I swirl through the stream, the journey continues. The current carries me swiftly, surrounded by curious fish and vibrant algae. I hope they don't swallow me, as my stubborn nature can harm them. This stream leads to a larger river, and the adventure unfolds further.

The river's flow is powerful, sweeping me along its path. I drift past bustling towns and serene landscapes, witnessing the world from a unique perspective. Unfortunately, my presence poses a threat to aquatic life. When fish mistake us for food, we linger in their bodies, causing health issues and upsetting the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

Eventually, the river empties into the vast ocean. Here, the problem escalates as billions of microplastics like me accumulate, forming floating islands of trash. These islands disrupt marine habitats, endangering countless creatures. It's a somber realization, seeing the harm we cause to this beautiful world.

In the ocean, I become part of a cycle that seems endless. Some particles find their way back to the shore, where they might start the journey anew. Others, however, remain adrift for decades, affecting marine life and ecosystems far and wide. Although I long to return to the land, the ocean is my home for now, amidst this vast expanse of water and life.

Despite the challenges, there's hope that solutions will emerge to minimize the impact we have. Until then, my journey as a tyre wear particle continues, full of adventures and lessons about the interconnectedness of nature. And so, my story concludes for now, but the journey never truly ends. Wherever the current takes me next, I'll be a witness to the wonders and trials of the natural world, hoping for a brighter future for all its inhabitants.

📋 Assignment

Complete the two tasks by taking into account all the information provided by our protagonist.

📋 Complete the crossword puzzle using the texts.

💡 Bonus

Fill in the "Plastic CV" using the texts.

"Family name" (type of plastic)

"Place of birth" (factory)

"Education" (intended use, e.g. packaging)

"Work experience" (stations in the ecosystem)

"Special skills" (e.g. long shelf life, ability to bind toxins)

"Personal characteristics" (e.g. fragile, resilient)

"Goals for the future" (ironic, e.g. "float in the ocean forever")

Note

Here is a suggested solution for the bonus task.

Plastic CV

Family Name: Abrasive particles of synthetic rubber

Place of Birth: Tyre factory

Education: Abrasion of car tyres

Professional Experience:

Road: Created by the abrasion of car tyres and landed on the road.
Sewer System: Washed away by rain with surface water and flowed through the sewers.
Nature: Seeps into the ground and pollutes the environment.
Stream: Drifting with the current and surrounded by aquatic life.
River: Part of a larger stream that affects fish and plant habitats.

Special Skills:

Long Shelf Life: Decomposition takes many years.

Personal Characteristics:

Resistant: Slow to decompose, constant companion of animals and plants.

Goals for the Future:

Ironic Goal: Floating in the ocean forever and blocking the sunlight.

Personalize the worksheet

Insert a form of plastic.

Where does the plastic drift to? The adventurous journey of a plastic particle

Objective: The learners follow a plastic (particle) on its journey through the ecosystem. In addition, they can explain the effect of the journey on the environment and reflect on its impact on the ecosystem.

Content and methodology: With the help of text messages, learners follow a plastic particle on its journey through the ecosystem and learn more about its experiences and effects on the ecosystem. Learners answer questions about the content and reflect on the effects of the particle. There is also a bonus task where the learners create a profile of the particle.

Competences:

Spatial perception and orientation: The students follow the spatial displacement of plastic particles and develop an understanding of the interconnectedness of different environmental areas.
Cause-effect thinking: Students analyze the causes and consequences of plastic pollution and recognize the complex relationships between human activity and environmental change.
Systemic thinking: Students follow the path of the plastic particle through various ecosystems and recognize connections.
Problem-solving skills: Learners work out the possible effects of particles on the environment and living organisms.

Level: 7th/8th grade

Personalize the worksheet

Insert a form of plastic.

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