More Plastic, More Problems: Using Ratios to Get Real
Grades 6 Five to seven 50-minute sessions Engineering Math
More Plastic, More Problems: Using Ratios to Get Real

Design a device that removes garbage from the ocean while minimizing the number of animals collected.
Resources
Objectives:
- Design and build a device to propose as a tool for garbage removal.
- Explain the purpose of the criteria and constraints in relation to design success.
- Explain how materials work together to support the function of their device/ prototype.
- Develop clear arguments for the importance of cleaning up the natural world.
The Tech Academies
This activity was developed in partnership with educators from The Tech Academies Fellowship program. Tech Academy Fellows learn to be leaders of STEM education while designing and testing resources to be shared with other educators.
Standards alignment
- Engineering Design
- Science and Engineering Practices
- Cross Cutting Concepts
- Disciplinary Core Ideas