Overview
Find out more about the impact of plastic on our oceans. Watch this introductory video and use our free resources.
Explore the importance of the oceans and the impact that plastic pollution is having on marine ecosystems with our free classroom resources aimed at KS2 pupils.
The resources will introduce pupils to the eXXpedition project, an all-female voyage that is travelling the world to conduct research and raise awareness of the issue of plastic pollution and its impact. The resources explore what plastic is and why it is so widely used. Pupils discover what actions are currently taking place to tackle plastic pollution, before being challenged to identify the skills and attributes they possess to become part of a positive movement of change.
The resource is split into three parts:
- Part 1: The ocean and plastic
- Part 2: The problem with plastic
- Part 3: Saving the world
Each part lasts approximately 2 hours. Where schools choose to deliver each session on different days we would recommend these are delivered as close together as possible to ensure maximum impact. Alternatively the resource could be run as a ‘drop down day’ where the year group is taken off timetable for the entire day to focus on this topic. A suggested timetable for drop down day delivery has been included to help you.
“Plastic pollution and the scale of it is such a huge problem for our environment and it is so important that we educate, inspire and equip our young generation with the knowledge and tools that they could use to have a real impact in the future. The Young Citizens resources easily enable teachers to do this.”
– Charlotte Preston, Y4 Teacher, Christchurch CofE Primary School, Purley.
Acknowledgments:
This classroom resource was developed in partnership with international law firm Slaughter and May. Their support has enabled this specialist resource to be distributed to schools for free.
We are also hugely grateful to the team at eXXpedition for their support in the development of the content for this resource.
More Lessons resources
Healthy Eating
In this lesson pupils will learn about the importance of eating the right amounts of different food groups as part of a healthy lifestyle. Pupils will have the opportunity to…
What is a Digital Citizen?
In the delivery of this resource your students will explore what is meant by the term ‘digital citizen’. They...
More Community resources
Biodiversity: Using the Law to Drive Change
During this lesson, students consider what biodiversity is, why it is essential to all life on Earth and what...
Brexit: Part 1 – Referendum
Pupils will be given a brief introduction to the European Union. They will learn about why people’s opinions about the EU are divided and the results of the EU referendum.…
More Politics and Democracy resources
Local and Central Government
This resource pack is the third of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...
Climate Action: Using the Law to Drive Change
In 2021, COP26 was hosted in Glasgow. It was seen as a pivotal moment in tackling the global climate...
What is a Political Party?
This resource pack is the fourth of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...
More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources
Pollution: Expedition to Planet Blueball
This lesson explores the issues of pollution of our planet and sustainable power. It is based around an animated story, involving the Go-Givers characters, in which creatures from a friendly…
Plastic Pollution (KS1)
During this lesson children explore the environmental effects of plastic pollution by carrying out a number of experiments. They then go on to consider how they can take action against…
Democracy (Part 2): Local and Central Government
This lesson forms the second part of a three-part unit on democracy. Pupils learn about the function of central and local government and the difference between MPs and councillors. Pupils explore…
More Sustainability and the Environment resources
World Female Ranger Day (KS1 Assembly)
During this assembly pupils will learn about World Female Ranger Day. Pupils will explore where the continent of Africa is and learn about its unique wildlife, and why it needs…
World Female Ranger Day (KS2 assembly)
During this assembly children will learn about World Female Ranger Day. Pupils will explore where the continent of Africa is and learn about its unique wildlife, and why it needs protecting…
Climate Action: Using the Law to Drive Change
In 2021, COP26 was hosted in Glasgow. It was seen as a pivotal moment in tackling the global climate...
More KS2 (ages 7-11) resources
Working as Part of a Team (certificate)
Our pupil certificates are linked to 12 ethos statements, such as We Work as a Team. Each statement supports character development and the acquisition of key citizenship skills The values, skills…
The Big Legal Lesson 2026 (ages 5-11)
Join the UK's biggest legal education campaign during February 2025.
How to Design a Questionnaire
A simple guide to the things you need to think about when designing surveys and questionnaires, from making sure the questions are easy to understand, to ensuring you ask the…