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Ocean Cleanup Fleet

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Grades K-230-45 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Kids invent tools that can scoop up ocean debris without harming the sea creatures nearby. It's a meaningful engineering challenge that connects design thinking to caring for the environment.

Choose your version

Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Prep: 14 minActivity: 30 min1 session~$2/groupOne table or clear floor areaBeginner-friendly

Setup

Gather only common or recycled items needed to build a scoop, net, or boat-based cleanup tool from the available materials. Place the materials beside a simple recording sheet or blank paper, and prepare the Ocean Cleanup Fleet challenge in one working area; no digital device is needed.

Activity

  1. Predict what kind of tool could remove floating debris from the water without catching the toy sea animals.
  2. Build a scoop, net, or boat-based cleanup tool from the available materials.
  3. Test the tool in the tub and discover it also catches the animals, then redesign it to be more selective.
  4. Present the cleaned-up ocean to the animal residents, showing off the improved tool.

Done when: The learner completes Ocean Cleanup Fleet after carrying out this core test: Test the tool in the tub and discover it also catches the animals, then redesign it to be more selective. The learner then uses that result to complete the final task: Present the cleaned-up ocean to the animal residents, showing off the improved tool.

Materials

A water tub, confetti or plastic bits as debris, toy sea animals, small nets or spoons, cardboard for boats

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Disclosure: Materials links below go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Steps

  1. Predict what kind of tool could remove floating debris from the water without catching the toy sea animals.
  2. Build a scoop, net, or boat-based cleanup tool from the available materials.
  3. Test the tool in the tub and discover it also catches the animals, then redesign it to be more selective.
  4. Present the cleaned-up ocean to the animal residents, showing off the improved tool.

Standards it satisfies

  • NGSS · 2-PS1-2

    Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.