Webinars & Other Courses – Microplastics and Waterways
Topic Key
Webinars
Microfibers: The Next Frontier of Plastic Pollution
"Scientists are still beginning to understand the effects of plastic pollution on marine life who suffer injury and death through entanglement and ingestion of the synthetic material. Now we’ve discovered that there is a new microscopic form of plastic pollution entering our waterways from the washing of clothing that includes nylon, acrylic, and PET materials."
Run time: 1 hour
Source: MarineDebris.Info, OCTO
Microplastics: An Emerging Threat to Global Ecology and Public Health
"Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5mm, are a well-known marine pollutant. An estimated 93,000 to 236,000 metric tons of microplastics litter the world’s oceans, according to a 2015 study. Recent evidence suggests that they also contaminate freshwater environments, the food we eat, and even the air we breathe. Yet the consequences for human health are largely unknown."
Run time: 1 hour
Microplastics: What we know and discussion of research needs
"Dive into the world of microplastics with the NOAA Marine Debris Program! Learn about what microplastics are, the different types, the impacts associated with microplastic marine debris, and future research needs."
Run time: 1 hour
Source: MarineDebris.Info, OCTO
Unseen: Microplastics Research & Solutions
"During our October 27 webinar, we discussed what the newest research is revealing about the pervasiveness and dangers of microplastics, and highlighted ways to reduce your exposure to microplastics as well as how to support legislation and policy change to make an impact."
Run time: 1 hour
Source: Plastic Pollution Coalition
Why Polystyrene Is The New Microbead
"Like microbeads, polystyrene plastics are environmental hazards. They are extremely toxic to make and difficult to recycle. Polystyrene and "Styrofoam" are even banned from many recycling programs because of contamination problems—less than 2% of polystyrene was recycled in 2013."
Run time: 1 hour
Source: MarineDebris.Info, OCTO
Other Courses
Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy
"Environmental law may be the one institution standing between us and planetary exhaustion. It is also an institution that needs to be reconciled with human liberty and economic aspirations. This course considers these issues and provides a tour though existing legal regimes governing pollution, water law, endangered species, toxic substances, environmental impact analyses, and environmental risk."
Science Literacy
"Science Literacy will teach you about the process of science, how to think critically, how to differentiate science from pseudoscience, how indigenous wisdom can inform science, how to understand and design a scientific study, and how to critically evaluate scientific communication in the media."
Source: University of Alberta / Coursera
Workshops
Environmental Workshops
Pontchartrain Conservancy offers workshops covering a wide variety of environmental topics. Microplastics workshops include:
- Marine Debris: A Global Issue with Local Solutions
- Microplastics
- Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution: Tracking Pollution to its Source
- Water Quality: Using Fieldwork to Solve Local Water Quality Mysteries
If you are interested in booking or attending an environmental workshop, complete this form or email us at education@scienceforourcoast.org.
Dauphin Island Sea Lab*
"Discovery Hall Programs (DHP) provides professional development opportunities for teachers and informal educators through single day and multi-day workshops.
Workshops include experiences outside in the field, presentations, and discussions with research faculty, and time to explore relevant lesson plans and activities to take back to the classroom."
Source: Dauphin Island Sea Lab
*Workshops take place outside of Louisiana
Teachers on the Estuary*
"A Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) workshop is a research and field-based training program held at various research reserve sites. TOTE workshops offer a minimum of 15 contact hours, giving teachers the opportunity to:
- Explore coastal habitats and conduct field investigations;
- Interact with local scientists and experienced coastal educators;
- Integrate local and national monitoring data into the classroom; and
- Learn hands-on field activities highlighting our various Estuary Education Resources"
Source: Estuary Education, NOAA
*Workshops take place outside of Louisiana