Sea in a bottle

Children make an ocean wave bottle using water and oil, and discuss plastic pollution in the oceans.

Steps

1. Conversation: what lives in oceans and how plastic debris threatens marine ecosystems.
2. Children fill a bottle two-thirds full with water tinted blue.
3. They top it off with clear oil and add small shells or glitter.
4. The teacher seals the cap securely with glue.
5. Children gently rock the bottle to watch the waves; conclude by sorting plastic items depicted on ocean picture cards.

Tip: Older children can test which types of plastics float or sink in saltwater.

Materials needed

• Blue food coloring (1 pack)
• 0.5-liter plastic bottles (1 per child)
• Decorative mini seashells (1 pack)