This lesson on Plastics & the Environment specifically teaches students what plastics are, how they’re made, why they don’t biodegrade, how plastic waste harms ecosystems and human health, and how plastics connect to real-world ecological problems. It also includes a related Ecology Case Study activity that investigates plastic pollution in marine ecosystems.

✅ Full Lesson Coverage – Plastics basics, environmental impacts, pollution pathways, sustainability, and human health connections
✅ Ready-to-Teach Format – Teacher and student presentation, student activity handout, and aligned case study activity
✅ Designed for Active Learning – Structured slides with guiding questions and discussion prompts to promote scientific thinking
✅ Time-Saving & Flexible – Everything organized and ready to go — just download and teach

In order, the lesson covers:

• What Are Plastics?
• How Plastics Are Made
• The History of Plastics
• Current Uses of Plastics
• Environmental Consequences of Plastics
• The Future of Plastics

Included in the lesson package is:

• The teacher version of the presentation
• The student version of the presentation
• Google, Office, and Word versions of the lesson
• NINE embedded videos
• Student lesson handout
• Plastics Case Study Reading on Marine Pollution

The student version of the presentation contains multiple blanks that need to be filled in throughout the lesson. These blanks are conveniently underlined and bolded on the teacher copy. I have found this to be the most effective means of keeping my students engaged and active without having them write everything out. This also leaves more time for discussion and activities.

Google and Distance Learning Ready

• This lesson includes both Office and Google formats for ALL resources. The presentation is in PowerPoint and Google Slides while all documents contain Word and Google Doc versions.
• Your resource is perfect for distance learning and integrates seamlessly with Google Classroom as I've included a link that will automatically create a copy of the resources and put them directly into your Google Drive with one click.
• Purchase --> Open --> Click --> Assign to your students

Having both options allows you to use either without worrying about formatting issues as all the work has already been done for you. It safeguards you in case your department or school decides to go Google 100% and allows you as well as your students to access everything no matter where you are or what kind of equipment is being used.

I also have a range of assignments and lessons/units from other grade levels at my store. Please CLICK HERE to have a look around and don’t forget to follow if you like what you see.