Classroom on the Sand with Surf, Skate, Science

Deerfield Beach, Florida
October 4, 2024

Overview

On Friday, October 4th, 2024, The International SeaKeepers Society hosted 15 students and 5 educators from Surf, Skate, Science (SSS) for a Classroom on the Sand on their home turf on Deerfield Beach. Students participated in two activities, the first called Sink or Float, where we introduced the six different types of plastics and had students guess based on observations and our sample materials whether each type of plastic would sink or float when entering a waterway like a river, canal, bay, or the ocean. Our second activity used our Enviroscapes coastal ecosystem watershed model to further explore the dynamics of how different types of pollution are transported to and through coastal communities.

Through these activities, the group from Surf, Skate, Science was able to learn about the hydrology of watersheds as well as the anthropogenic threats that watersheds face. These include plastic litter, marine debris, air and oil pollution, nutrient pollutants like fertilizers and others from terrestrial sources like homes, businesses, and roadways. This pollution is carried by rain and flood water to canals, rivers, and bays, which can build up and lead to algal blooms and fish kills, which have been increasing in frequency and intensity in places like South Florida. Students ended the lesson by discussing how we can reduce different types of pollution through simple choices and actions in our everyday lives and reflecting on the types of pollution they may be creating themselves.

It was great working with the students and educators from Surf, Skate, Science, and hope that they were able to learn more about the value of protecting coastal ecosystems and reducing waste production in their daily lives. We loved hosting this Classroom on the Sand and we hope to work with SSS and other like-minded student groups in the future!

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