Ages 0-2

Preparation

For this activity you will need:

Clear tub or bucket of water
Range of materials that can be added to the water, including things like sand, dirt, twigs, wood chips, pebbles and stones, paint, etc.
Optional: Toy animals that can be found in the ocean, such as fish, sharks, dolphins, turtles, crabs, seahorses, etc.

This activity may be messy and may be better suited to outdoors.

Step 1.

3/4 fill a bucket or tub with water and place it in an area where children can access it. Show children the range of materials you have collected and invite children to hold them. Talk to children about each of the materials, including:

I wonder what this is?
I wonder where we can find this?
I wonder what it feels like?
I wonder if it feels hot or cold?
I wonder if it feels soft or hard?
I wonder what it smells like?
I wonder if we could find this in the ocean?

Step 2.

Now invite children to gather around the tub of water, and explain to them that you are going to pretend that this is the sea.

Invite children to add the materials you have collected to the water, talking about the following as you go:

I wonder which ones will sink and which ones will float?
I wonder if these things look different when they are wet?
I wonder if the water looks different when we add all these things to it?

Take it further

Provocations

I wonder what things will sink or float in the water?
I wonder if fish (or other sea animals) sink or float?
I wonder if the water is hot or cold?
I wonder if the sea is hot or cold?

Possible lines of development

Other things in the yard that float or sink.
Water safety.
Add some ice cubes to the water for children to play with.
Painting with water on the ground outside.

Ages 3 - 5

Preparation

For this activity you will need to:

Set up your sea and river. You will need to direct a flow of water (the river) into a pool of water (the sea). It doesn't need to be elaborate, i.e. you could use a tub or bucket for the sea and a pipe or tube as the river. The river MUST flow into the sea.
Gather your contaminants. You will need five cups containing five different contaminants. You can use the actual contaminants or substitute the contaminants with less real (and less dangerous or disgusting) contaminants. Examples of contaminants could include - oil, paint, detergent, chook poo and harmless chemicals. In addition, collect a range of waste materials such as food wrappers, plastic bags, straws, bottle tops, etc.
Hose and access to water.
Optional: Toy animals that can be found in the ocean, such as fish, sharks, dolphins, turtles, crabs, seahorses, etc.

This activity may be messy and may be better suited to outdoors.

Step 1.

Begin by explaining to children that the tub of water represents the sea. Flowing into the sea is a river. Did children know that almost all rivers on Earth will eventually lead to the sea? (A small number will see their water be drained into the ground before the river can reach the sea). Children will be experimenting to see what happens when we pollute our rivers, and how this will affect the sea.

Explain to children that we can sometimes see when the water in the river or sea is healthy because the water will be clear; when it is unhealthy the water can get very, very dirty. How does the water look right now?

Now add one of the contaminants to the river, explaining to children what this contaminant is and where it comes from. You may need to turn on your hose to get the flow of water going down the river. How does the water look now?

Repeat with the remaining contaminants, stopping to look at the health of the sea after each contaminant is added.

Step 2.

You can also add some of your waste materials to your river, such as food wrappers and bottle tops. Talk to children about how when we see rubbish on the street, it will often get carried to a river when it rains. This rubbish will then flow down the river and end up in the sea.

In addition, you could consider inviting children to add toy animals to the sea with the provocation: "I wonder if all this rubbish in the water makes these animals feel sick?"

Take it further

You and your children could work together to create a picture that describes the difference between healthy and unhealthy oceans, such as the one below:

Provocations

I wonder what a healthy river looks like?
I wonder what a healthy ocean looks like?
I wonder who/what lives in a river?
I wonder who/what lives in the ocean?
I wonder if the ocean is healthy?
I wonder what we can do to keep our ocean healthy?

Possible lines of development

Water safety.
Other contaminants from the yard - ask children to collect sticks, leaves, gum nuts etc. and add to water.
Sink or swim - what things in your yard sink or swim?
Does being wet make things look different?
Fishing - use a sieve or spoon to ‘catch’ the fish you have in your tub. Are they healthy?
Clean up the yard, your street or local park - take kids on a walk to pick up rubbish. You may need rubber gloves or only allow adults to pick up the rubbish while children act as ‘rubbish spotters’.

Evaluation

Complete an analysis of learning, listing evidence about:

Belonging	Finding something of interest
Communication	Expressing an idea or feeling
Exploration	Engaging with challenges and persisting when difficulty arises
Well being	Being involved

Embedding into daily practice

Some other things you can do to help our oceans

Take action against climate change - Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when you can and being conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few things you can do to get started today include: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and dress for the weather instead of using a fan or heater.
Make sustainable seafood choices - When shopping or dining out, choose seafood from sustainable sources. Use the Sustainable Seafood Guide to help you. Also check the label on your pet’s food.
Use less plastic - Carry a reusable water bottle, store food in non-disposable containers, bring your own reusable bag when shopping, and recycle whenever possible.
Help take care of the beach - Leave coral and wildlife on the beach or in the sea, and participate in local beach cleanups (e.g. Take 3).
Don't purchase items that exploit marine life - Certain products contribute to the harming of fragile coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing items such as coral jewellery, tortoiseshell hair accessories (made from Hawksbill turtles), and shark products.
Support the establishment of marine sanctuaries - Marine sanctuaries are places where minimal human involvement is allowed, giving the marine life that use those areas the chance to recover and gain strength.

Blue - From the River to the Ocean

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