TEC's plastic pollution awareness Pod entertained and taught 130 students from years 1-6 last week with help from our energetic team of staff and volunteers. It was wonderful fun!

Devised by TEC's resident Dr Who, Andrew Tovey (otherwise know as the director of our public engagement program, HotHouse) TEC's Ocean Action Pod is a mobile education unit packed with visually stimulating information and ideas. 

Mosman’s Rawson Oval proved a spacious, secure, and elastic space for the convergence of fun and educational activities exploring the impact of plastic pollution on our oceans. Students from Blessed Sacrament Primary were encouraged to think about where such common items as plastic spoons come from, how they are made, and what happens to them when they are discarded. They all went home knowing what a nurdle is! (it's the plastic pellets used in plastic product manufacture).

The Pod team developed the educational materials, including booklets, and games, over the past five months, with support from the NSW Environment Trust and the Nancy Shelley Bequest Trust. The day was also made possible by the kind support of Mosman Council.

Pod-based activities, such as those piloted in Mosman, will soon be supported by extensive resources that match the NSW syllabus for geography, biology, chemistry, civics and citizenship, and visual arts. 

After a successful tour of coastal communities last summer, another summer tour is in the works for 2018. Digital resources will be freely available through TEC's websites with physical resources (such as props for the Pod’s group activities or professionally printed posters) available for purchase.

What Can You Do?

• Visit the Ocean Action Pod website
• Book the POD for your community or school