[On-site class] A class on "marine plastic waste" was held for 4th to 6th graders at Matsuiwa Elementary School in Kesennuma City.

November 2020, 10

At the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology Sanriku Satellite, in response to requests from elementary and junior high schools and high schools, we aim to provide comprehensive educational support for the sea, ships, the environment, living things, and other aspects of the sea, and to foster children's interest in the ocean. In response, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology faculty members go to schools to give “delivery classes”.

On October 2020, 10 (Friday), at Kesennuma City Matsuiwa Elementary School (Principal Hidenori Komatsu), Associate Professor Keiichi Uchida (Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology Faculty of Marine Resources and Energy) gave a comprehensive study of marine education. As part of this, we held a class on "marine plastic waste".

In this class, we took measures to prevent infection with the new coronavirus, and in order to avoid crowding, we divided 4 students from 6th to 170th grade into 1 groups of 3 hour each for a total of 3 hours.

First, Mr. Uchida introduced that some countries abroad have a fine system for throwing away garbage, and the students seemed very surprised.In Indonesia, the huge amount of marine litter has become a problem nationwide, and efforts to tackle the litter problem overseas, such as cleanup activities being carried out every year, were introduced.

A survey from 2014 conducted by Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology's oceanographic research ship Umitaka Maru found a large number of plastic bags about XNUMX kilometers off the coast of Sanriku, where no one lives. Many microplastics have also been confirmed in Antarctica.The students used a microscope to observe the "plastic waste" and "microplastic particles" actually collected by the Umitaka Maru.

In addition, "microplastics" have been found in the bodies of sea turtles and fish, and pollution of the sea has a great impact and damage on marine life. I learned about being

Questions from students

How much Japanese plastic waste is there in the world?

How much plastic waste is spreading in the world's oceans today?

What should I do to be able to speak bob博彩公司_申博体育在线-投注*官网 in order to conduct research with researchers around the world?Etc., positive opinions were given.

At Matsuiwa Elementary School, we are working together with the local community to tackle marine litter.I would be happy if it would be an opportunity for you and your family and friends to think about what you can do to reduce plastic in your daily life.

Thank you to everyone at Matsuiwa Elementary School.

Associate Professor Uchida explaining about marine debris

"Plastic" collected by Umitaka-maru

Students answering a quiz using slides