The NOAA chesapeake BAY watershed education and training (b-wet) program will be providing a 2-year, $99,118 grant to university of maryland center for environmental science to support the wave of…

The NOAA chesapeake BAY watershed education and training (b-wet) program will be providing a 2-year, $99,118 grant to university of maryland center for environmental science to support the wave of plastic JR.: student-driven inquiry & action to prevent marine debris - 5TH grade expansion (WOP JR.) project. This project aims to bring the riding the wave of plastic middle school program into elementary schools (every student in 5TH grade). The WOP JR. Project will be implemented in 5TH grade district-wide in ST. Marys and charles county. To engage and empower over 3,300 5TH grade students (1,300 in ST. Marys public schools & 2000 in charles county public schools) in helping reduce marine debris in the chesapeake BAY watershed. The fifth-grade extension will focus on the physical characteristics of plastics and the human impacts on the environment, particularly the increased amounts of plastics being put into the environment, which covers many learning standards. The final activity pertains to action steps and aligns with the next generation science standards and performance expectations. Every student can participate since the unit will be built into the fifth-grade curriculum. This goal will be achieved over 2 years by preparing educators (through 30 hours of professional development) to lead and implement the unit in their classrooms and designing and conducting WOP JR. Extension outdoor activities to reduce plastic waste.