Ocean Odyssey

What Is This Video?

After a raccoon-like coatimundi drops the Skismo in the mangrove swamp, the Earthlings hop in their boat to follow it into the open ocean. Just as their arms tire out from paddling, they get carried along by an ocean current. Soon the current drops them on the beach where the Skismo landed–along with some other things they are not at all happy to see.

Conversation Starters

Ask:
  • What color do you think the Skismo would be if you dropped it into the nearest body of water? Why?
  • How did the Earthlings feel when they saw the trash that had washed up on the beach? How do you think you would feel if you visited a beach, only to find it covered in trash?
  • Have you seen litter in any rivers, streams, or lakes near you?
  • How might you keep trash from getting into lakes, rivers, or other bodies of water?

Explore Some More

From Me to the Sea

Use maps or Google Earth to find the river closest to where you live. Trace its path–does it flow into a larger river? If so, where does that river flow? Can you trace its path to the ocean? Talk about what kinds of things flowing water, such as the water in a river or the water pouring into storm drains after a rainstorm, carries. Water can carry away just about anything we put on the ground: litter, oil from cars, pet and farm waste, and lawn pesticides and fertilizers. When litter finds its way into the ocean, it is called marine debris. Even if you live far from the ocean, you can help keep debris out of the oceans. Find out how at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Ten Things You Should Know About Marine Debris.