Ducks Ahoy: Plastic Debris and Ocean Currents

Early in the morning of January 10, 1992, a container ship traveling from Hong Kong to the United States was blindsided by a powerful storm. Thousands of bath toys—plastic toy ducks, rabbits, frogs and beavers—spilled into the ocean began an ocean voyage that has spanned the last 20 years. In this lesson, students will learn about ocean currents, environmental issues, and international trade. For more resources from the National Council for the Social Studies, visit http://www.socialstudies.org/