Activities for Teens: Week 1

Boy rowing a canoe while reading.

Artcycling: Art, Not Trash!

Become an “artivist” and stop sending trash into Great Pacific Garbage Patch!

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. Also known as the Pacific trash vortex, the garbage patch is two distinct collections of debris bounded by the massive North Pacific Subtropical Gyre.

Use trash that might end up in the ocean to create art instead.

Supplies 

Instructions

Use the collected items to create your own art project. You can create a collage, sculpture, jewelry, or whatever else you think would be a fun piece of art.

National Geographic Source : Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Shell Identification

Materials: Shells, Antibacterial soap, hydrogen peroxide, old toothbrush, shell identification books, Google Lens.

Instructions: Go to the beach or trail and pick up a variety of shells.

two hands holding a green beach bucket with a yellow shovel with a bunch of small seashells, covered in sand.
Two hands holding a green beach bucket with a yellow shovel with a bunch of small seashells, covered in sand.

Or: Purchase shells from the store, this bag was bought at Michael’s Arts and Craft store. Similar can be found at many gift shops.

A net bag full of painted seashells, in white and various shades of pink. Some are also brown and natural looking, with a shine.
A net bag full of painted seashells, in white and various shades of pink. Some are also brown and natural looking, with a shine.

Examine seashells and try to identify them.

Clean shells with antibacterial soap and an old toothbrush. Let them soak for a short time in hydrogen peroxide (an hour or two until bubbles form on top). Rinse and let dry. Take pictures, identify, and email to reading@dbs.fldoe.org!

Variety of shells, laid out drying on a piece of paper towel. Shells are smooth side up, concave side down.
Variety of shells, laid out drying on a piece of paper towel. Shells are smooth side up, concave side down.

Some shells collected at New Smyrna Beach, FL:

Olive shell, swirl at the top, open slit all along the side.
Olive shell, swirl at the top, open slit all along the side.
Coquina shells. Very small, half inch at most, smooth oval shells.
Coquina shells. Very small, half inch at most, smooth oval shells.
These are cockle shells. Scalloped ridges and edges. Scoop shaped, beige and brown.
These are cockle shells. Scalloped ridges and edges. Scoop shaped, beige and brown.
Coquina shells are just a half inch, larger cockle shells are up to 3 inches.
Coquina shells are just a half inch, larger cockle shells are up to 3 inches.

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