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ScienceEngineering

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.

Budget levels

Materials list coming soon to members

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Quick Start

Digital downloads only. $0 to buy. Printing is noted separately.

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one class period, one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one class period on a single day.

Scale back: Fit it into a shorter period, use fewer effects, or run a demo instead of a build.

Scale up: Add one extra effect, or spread the share-out across another day.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Full Experience

Up to $25 per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one school day.

Scale back: Fit the build into one period with fewer effects.

Scale up: Spread the work across days, or add more effects.

Total Transformation

The bigger kit, priced per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day (one session, one-day event).

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one session, a one-day event.

Scale back: Shorten the event, or run a demo for a smaller audience.

Scale up: Spread the build and the event across days, or invite a bigger audience.

Choose your version

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

Student time: 30 min, one class periodTeacher prep / build-ahead: 14 min$0 to buy. Printing noted separately.One 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.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

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.

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change.

As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

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 mapped

  • 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.