Plastic detectives

Grade 1, 2 and 3 school children from Lihunu became plastic detectives at a special Saturday school event this week. They investigated beach sand samples for microplastic under the microscope, studied live animals such as sea anemones, soft corals, hard corals, clams, worms, crabs, starfish and sea squirts in aquaria, and learned about how plastic is entering the marine foodweb.

We took the kids on a walk through the village to the beach and during the expedition, the kids had to solve the case of a clownfish who became ill and eventually died from having eaten too much plastic.

At the beach, the plastic detectives collected plastic samples, analyzed this “evidence” as well as pictures taken during the walk, and then reflected about their own contribution to the problem of plastic litter in the ocean.
The event was conducted with the help of scientists from HYDRA, Suara Pulau Foundation and CoralEye, who provided aquaria, microscopes and transport.

Our biggest „THANK YOU“ goes to the kids that made this day a very special one with their enthusiasm and their dedication. Terima kasih banyak!