This 2-minute short takes on plastic microbeads - the little bits of plastic that companies have been putting in everything from body washes and hand soaps to toothpaste and makeup. In it, the authors show how microbeads are designed to go down the drain and into our oceans ... and what people can do about it..
The video requires that the student listen actively in order to understand the reasons for and the consequences of our use of microbeads. The teacher may require students to fact - check the assertions made by the video and search out contrary perspectives.
The resource reflects the strength of many of the resources created by The Story of Stuff - straight forward and fast paced delivery with a strong message.
Teachers may be advised to seek out other resources that offer a contrary view of that presented by the video and have the students assess the merits of any such view.
The Story of Stuff may be used as part of a larger study of goods that we consume (plastics, electronics, etc.) at considerable cost to the environment. Such issues are often addressed within the curriculum in those units dealing with resource management that are part of many Geography and Environmental Studies courses.
Political Science teachers may use it as a case study of the role of government in regulating individual choices and corporate behaviour.
Science students may investigate the chemical properties that make microbeads an attractive product.
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