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
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...
Online Opinions
During this lesson pupils explore why people see different results when searching for information online. Pupils find out about filter bubbles and consider what impact these have on peoples thoughts…
The Big Legal Lesson 2026 (ages 5-11)
Join the UK's biggest legal education campaign during February 2025.
More Community resources
How to share learning with your peers
Originally designed to be a companion pack for the Democracy Ambassadors programme, this handy toolkit will support students who...
Understanding Cancer
Many children in classrooms all around the country are dealing with cancer in one way or another at any given time. This lesson seeks to answer some of their questions…
More Politics and Democracy resources
Migration of People
To help you engage your students in the topic of migration Young Citizens have developed a flexible teaching resource...
How Does the Budget Impact Me and Others?
The resource consists of two activities. The first is a notation task based on the information provided about the...
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...
More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources
Inspirational People – Nelson Mandela
This assembly is an introduction to the life and work of Nelson Mandela. You may like to run it in conjunction with the lesson ‘Inspirational People.’ To access this content,…
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…
Citizenship and the Wider World
During this lesson pupils consider what it means to be a global citizen and what rights and responsibilities come with this. They consider a range of global issues; analysing…
More Sustainability and the Environment resources
The Value of Trees
This lesson is one of a collection which examine environmental issues. In this lesson pupils will learn about the role trees play in supporting life on Earth and their importance…
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...
Caring for our World (certificate)
Our pupil certificates are linked to 12 ethos statements, such as We are Part of a World-Wide Community. Each statement supports character development and the acquisition of key citizenship skills…
More KS2 (ages 7-11) resources
How to Make a Persuasive Presentation
Do you care passionately about helping a certain charity or supporting a particular cause but think if more people got involved you could make an even bigger difference? How can…
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…
Protecting Local Habitats (KS2)
In this lesson pupils will learn about the importance of habitats and explore endangered British species and the threats to their habitat. Pupils will be guided through ways in which…