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Midway

A Message From The Gyre

Secondary, Middle

Description

Beginning with lines from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, this film is a powerful visual journey into an environmental tragedy taking place on the remote North Pacific Island of Midway. A young photographer focuses his camera on the tens of thousands of dead and dying baby albatrosses, their bodies filled with plastic that collects and concentrates in an area known as the 'The Pacific Garbage Patch". This phenomenon results form rotating ocean currents delivering floating garbage to the Island. Viewers are asked to have the courage to examine their lifestyle choices.  We need to change our attitudes about the use and disposal of plastics and take responsibility for the detrimental effects these are having on biodiversity and the destruction of ecosystems.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This video could be used to  introduce science outcomes associated with habitat presrvation, source reduction, marine pollution, as well as the fragile nature of the world's ecosystems. It will also be an effective tool for showing connections between humans and their environment in geography courses.  Many of the images might be disturbing and teachers should preview the film to determine if it is appropriate for their students.

Relevant Curriculum Units

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  • Alberta
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    • Grade 7
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      • Environmental Science
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        • Environment and Outdoor Education: Commitment to Action
        • Environment and Outdoor Education: Environmental Core
        • Environment and Outdoor Education: Environmental Investigations
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        • Biological Diversity
    • Grade 10
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        • Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
        • Science 14:Investigating Matter and Energy in the Environment
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        • Science 30: Chemistry and the Environment
  • Manitoba
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        • Interactions Within Ecosystems
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        • Senior 2 Science: Dynamics of Ecosystems
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        • Current Topics in the Sciences 30S: Science, Technology, Society & the Environment
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        • Biology: Conservation of Biodiversity
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        • Biology 111/2: Study of Life
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        • Advanced Environmental Science 120: Earth Systems
        • Advanced Environmental Science 120:Introduction to the human sphere
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        • Biology 2201: Ecosystem Interactions and Population Dynamics
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        • World Geography 3200/3202: Ecosystems
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        • Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
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        • Science 30: Chemistry and the Environment
  • Nova Scotia
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        • Geography 10: Ocean Environment
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        • Biology 11: Biodiversity
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        • Global Geography: Planet Earth
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        • Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
        • Science 14: Investigating Matter and Energy in the Environment
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        • Science 30: Chemistry and the Environment
  • Ontario
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        • :Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems
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        • Biology 11(Univer.Prep.) Diversity of Living Things
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        • Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Reducing and Managing Waste
        • Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
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        • Forces of Nature: Physical Processes and Disasters (Univ./College Prep.): The Physical Environment: Sustainability and Stewardship
        • Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
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        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
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  • Prince Edward Island
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        • Interactions Within Ecosystems
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      • Science
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        • Science 431A: Life Science, Sustainability of Ecosystems
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      • Biology
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        • Biology 521A: Biodiversity
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      • Environmental Science
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        • Environmental Science 621A: Ecological Principles
        • Environmental Science 621A: Environmental Challenges and Successes
        • Environmental Science 621A: Introduction to Environmental Science
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        • Applied Science & Technology:The Living World
        • Science & Technology:The Living World
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  • Saskatchewan
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        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Life Science: Interactions within Ecosystems
    • Grade 10
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      • Science
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        • Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (4)

  • Appreciating the Natural World
  • Biodiversity
  • Habitat Loss
  • Wildlife Protection

Waste Management (1)

  • Source Reduction

Water (1)

  • Marine Environments