To observe the harmful effects of plastic bag use, students can create an experiment with growing plants littered with plastic bags. According to the BBC, plastic bags clog drains, hang on trees and are overtaking landfills. Students plant seeds in three separate pots. One is left alone as a control group. The second plant is covered with a plastic bag and the third has plastic bags mixed in the soil. Students record the growth of the plants over a six month period to examine the effects of plastic bags on growing plants.
One experiment to test the harmful effects of plastics is to test water found in plastic bottles. Students can test several brands of plastic bottled water. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one chemical found in plastics that may be harmful to humans, according to Reuters. Purchase a BPA testing kit from laboratories such as Home Health Chemistry or Biosense to test bottled water. Students can also test tap water and water from nearby lakes or oceans. Also, students can also test bottled water that is left for long periods in the sun to examine if BPAs leaches into the water after heat exposure. All data should be recorded and graphed.
Middle schoolers can create a project to test the harmful effects of plastics on the ocean. According to the Ocean Voyages Institute, sixty percent of the garbage found in the ocean is made up of plastics and other wastes such as bottles and and bags. Students can test the effects of plastic using aquariums. Students can set up a control aquarium without garbage and then set up an aquarium in which plastic garbage will be added. Over a three month period, have students observe the effects on the plants and fish in the aquariums.
Students who recognize the power of media in spreading the word about the harmful effects of plastics can shoot their own documentaries. For this project, students first write a script for their documentary, and then interview scientists and teachers about the subject. The students can then take a field trip, such as to film footage of plastic garbage in the ocean, or another appropriate site manifesting the harmful effects of plastics. They can edit their documentary on computers. Afterward, they can screen the film to the school or enter it into real film festivals and competitions, if available.