THE ENVIROMENTAL EDUCATION PLAYBOOK

Pollution - Types of Pollutions

Hello Bad Buddies

Objectives Materials Learning Outcome Age Group
Students will be able to distin- Color pencil, crayons, Students will have to Lower Primary
define and describe dif-
guish the different types of pol- paper and stationeries. ferent kinds of pollution, Suitable Subjects
also explain the main Arts, Moral,
lution that resulted from their causes of water, air. land Language, Science
and sound pollution.
daily life activities.

Introduction
This lesson is created to teach students about different types of pollution that exist in their daily lives.
This lesson can be conducted in the classroom with artwork activities for effective learning. Towards
the end of this lesson, the students will understand the different types of pollution, the causes and
consequences to human beings, flora, fauna, and Earth as a whole. This lesson will help teachers
create awareness among students on pollution and become responsible citizens to minimize pollu-
tion in their daily life activities.

Warm Up Activity
1. Explain the concept of land, water and air pollution through a simple introduction activity.
2. The teacher can take a paper, cut it into different pieces and spread it throughout the classroom then

ask the students: How do you now see the classroom environment? (Expected answer: Dirty/Messy)
3. The teacher can place water in two cups, one is clean, and the other is dirty water. Then, the teacher can

ask the students: Which water would you like to drink? Let the students explain their choices.
4. The teacher can burn a matchstick in the classroom and allow smoke to spread in the surrounding.

Then, the teacher can ask students: how do they feel? What is their observation from all these activities?
5. Finally, the teacher can share the day’s topic with all the students before beginning the lesson.

Drawing and Colouring Activity
1. The students are given drawing blocks to draw and colour the type of pollution they see, touch, and

smell in their daily lives.
2. The students will start to ideate, draw and colour the desired pollution concept.
3. Once the drawings are completed, each student will come forward and show their drawings, and other

students in the classroom will need to guess what type of pollutants are those.
4. Towards the end of this activity, all the students can paste their artwork on the classroom wall.

Assessment Activity
1. The students are given 10 images in the list to fill in the blanks, and the answers will be the types of

pollutions.
2. The students are given one big portrait with various type of pollution activities; students will be required

to circle the pollution as seen in the image.
3. The teacher will play a video on different types of pollution. The students can shout out each time they

see any form of pollution shown in the video.
4. The teacher can do a short sum up and debriefing activity to end the lesson.

47 Environmental Education Playbook

Pollution - Types of Pollutions

Climate Fact

Pollution is the environmental damage caused by the individual act, commercial waste and
hazardous industrial residuals. Water pollution, land pollution, soil pollution and sound pollu-
tion are some of the examples. Humans choose the easy way to dispose of or release unwant-
ed substances into landfill and the ocean to avoid the high cost of treatment. Humans also
contaminate rivers and seas with plastics or domestic waste, which leads to water pollution.
Soil pollution is also alarming, with heavy industry and chemical pollutants from the manu-
facturing sectors. It is observed that in the recent years, plastic pollution, soil contamination,
radioactive contamination, thermal pollution and visual pollution have been on the rise.

Urbanization Heavy Industrialization

Fossil Fuel Mining Household Waste

Discussion:
1. Name any pollution you know, and the causes.
2. What will be some of the potential consequences of air pollution?
3. What will you do to reduce rubbish in your home?

Environmental Education Playbook 48

Pollution - Ocean Garbage

Run for Ocean

Objectives Materials Learning Outcome Age Group
At the end of the lesson, Labeled dustbin, Students will have to Upper Primary
students will be able to rubbish, whistle, define the cause and
understand the ocean gar- record book consequences of ocean Suitable Subjects
bage concept and remedy garbage, also generate Science, Physical
methods. upcycling ideas. Education

Introduction
This lesson is created to help the teacher communicate with students on daily littering, river pollution and
ocean garbage issues. This lesson can be conducted in the classroom with outdoor activities for effective
learning. Towards the end of this lesson, the students will able to understand the consequences of ocean
garbage to the environment and act as one of the small heroes to reduce ocean garbage by throwing
the trash into recycling bins for recycling and reuse purposes.

Activity 1 - Warm Up
1. The teacher uses storytelling methods to introduce the ocean garbage issue.
2. The teacher can project images of the affected endangered aquatic creatures due to ocean garbage.
3. The teacher can ask a reflective question: What will happen in 20 years if garbage increases and is left in the

ocean?

Activity 2 - Ocean Garbage Telematch
1. The teacher can divide students into group of 5 students, minimum 2 groups. Each group to complete a running

course of 50m.
2. Point A: Various type of garbage placed on a table.
3. Point B: A bucket of water is placed (Ocean simulation), and 2 types of dustbin (recyclable and non-recyclable)

are placed.
4. The students will run from Point A by carrying 1 piece of garbage to Point B (50 metres), where the water bucket

and dustbin are placed.
5. The students will then throw the rubbish into either the water bucket or dustbin. (3 choices given)
6. Each student will get 2 turns, totaling up to 10 rounds of running for each group.
7. When all the teams have completed the telematch, the teacher can count the points and add them to Activity 3.

Activity 3 - Video Sharing and Design Thinking Session
1. The teacher plays a video on the causes and consequences of ocean garbage.
2. After the video has ended, the teacher can conduct a debriefing and discussion session focusing on the upcycling

of ocean garbage.
3. The students can then complete team discussion on what can be done with the collected garbage, followed by

the ideation process.
4. Each team can present their ideas on how to turn the ocean garbage items into valuable upcycled items.
5. The teacher evaluates the idea presentation by the student groups. Finally, the teacher can sum up all the marks

to announce the winner for all the activities.

49 Environmental Education Playbook

Pollution - Ocean Garbage

Climate Fact

Ocean garbage, including plastics, paper, wood, metal and other manufactured materials, are found
on beaches across the world and at all depths of the ocean. Water pollution usually starts from the river
banks where industries release their chemical or harmful residuals and households throw their daily
consumption waste into nearby rivers. All these harmful and non-biodegradable substances then flow
from the river into the big ocean. All across the world, ocean garbage is an alarming issue, especially
plastic waste, which turns into microplastics and being consumed by aquatic creatures. Hence, ocean
garbage affects marine life, including coral reefs, turtles, and exotic marine.

*

*According to the 2012-2018 Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project.
Debriefing:
The teacher can tell a story on “The Life of Plastic” or play a video on plastics to create awareness on
ocean garbage.
Discussion:
1. Do you know what is ocean garbage?
2. What will be some of the waste included as ocean garbage?
3. What will you do to reduce single-use plastics at your home?

Environmental Education Playbook 50

Pollution - Air Pollution and Acid Rain

Tears of Sky

Objectives Materials Learning Outcome Age Group
At the end of the lesson, To conduct this lesson, Students will get to know Upper Primary
students will be able to un- students may need items about air pollution and
derstand about air pollu- like computer, internet, acid rain. Students will Suitable Subjects
tion, formation of acid rain headphone, and also get to know how to Science, Moral
and its danger to daily life. stationaries. prevent these pollutants and Language
from happening.

Introduction
This lesson is created to teach students about air pollution, acid rain and related issues. This lesson
can be conducted virtually during science lesson for effective learning. Towards the end of this lesson,
students will understand the causes and consequences of air pollution to the environment and the for-
mation of acid rain. By conducting this lesson, the students are expected to be more concerned about
air pollution and ensure daily life activities do not harm air quality and minimize air pollution.

Activity 1: Hi Hello to Air Pollution
1. The teacher can play a video for 10 mins on air pollution, air quality index and acid rain.
2. Then, the teacher can allow students to express their feeling in short.
3. The teacher can conduct a brief intro on the topic using images, facts, and information about air

pollution.
4. To end the introduction activity, the teacher can do a short question and answering session.

Activity 2: Engage with the Air
1. Connect-The-Dots
The teacher will share an A4 size dotted image with the student during the class. The students will then
connect all the dots to form an image that is related to acid rain. The student will have an option to
colour the picture if time permits.

2. Crossword Puzzle
The teacher displays a crossword puzzle on the screen, and students can be tested on their knowledge
and facts about acid rain through this crossword puzzle activity.

3. Storytelling and Discussion
The teacher can conduct a virtual storytelling on air pollution, acid rain and how to prevent it. Then, the
teacher can do small discussion with students before end this activity.

4. Tell your Message to the World
The teacher can guide students to create a short slogan or tagline to stop air pollution on an A4 paper.
Students will share their message virtually with the class.

51 Environmental Education Playbook

Pollution - Air Pollution and Acid Rain

Climate Fact

Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Car emissions, chemicals
from factories, dust, pollen and mould spores can be categorized as air pollution. These
particles pollute the air quality and may cause haze. When the air is polluted, a mixture of
harmful gaseous compounds is released into the atmosphere. These gases include sulfur
dioxide and various other oxides of nitrogen. Hence, when it rains, the water becomes
acidic and fall in the form of acid rain. Acid rain has been shown to have adverse impacts
on forests, freshwaters, and soils, killing wildlife and aquatic life forms and impacting hu-
man health.

CO2

Sulfur dioxide
Nitrogen oxides

Acid Rain

Forest

Humans Land Stream
and industries Lake

Acid Rain

Discussion:
1. Please list 5 types of activities that lead to air pollution.
2. Do you think acid rain is dangerous for your health?
3. How can you stop air pollution in your daily life?

Environmental Education Playbook 52

Pollution - Sound Pollution

The Noise Story

Objectives Materials Learning Outcome Age Group
At the end of the lesson, Computer, headphone, Students will have to un- Lower Primary,
students will be able to de- internet, drawing blocks, derstand the fundamen- Upper Primary
fine the different types of pencil colours, crayons tal concept of noise,
noise and sound pollution and stationaries. sound disturbance, and Suitable Subjects
in daily life. health issues due to Music, Moral,
sound pollution. Language

Introduction
This lesson is created to teach students about sound pollution and its correlation to the environment.
Towards the end of this lesson, students will be able to understand the causes and effect of sound pol-
lution on human, animals and natural habitats. By conducting this lesson, the students are expected to
be more concerned about the harm of noise and sound pollution. The teacher will also create aware-
ness among students on minimising sound pollution and its impact on the environment throughout
the lesson.

Activity 1:
Make a Right Guess (Puzzle and Mystery)
Part A
1. The teacher uses music/sound clips to demonstrate different sounds heard in the city and let students guess

the noise or sound pollution source.
2. The teacher shall explain the harmfulness of noise and sound pollution to humans, animals, and the envi-

ronment.

Part B
1. The teacher can play a video consisting of various noises and sound pollution from commercial and indus-

trial activity.
2. The teacher can request students to unmute and express their feeling on the noise heard.
3. The teacher can provide tips on minimising sound pollution and the impact on human, animals and the

environment.

Activity 2
Draw for me Awareness
4. The teacher can show 5 awareness posters on sound pollution in our daily lives, like trucks, trains, and

machines in the factory.
5. The students need to create an awareness poster on the cause, effect and remedies to protect the environ-

ment from sound pollution.
6. The students can do a simple sharing on their poster.
7. The students can be given extra time to explain the proposed remedies for the debriefing session afterwards.
8. Finally, the teacher conducts a presentation on how innovation has reduced sound pollution, like zero noise

machine and others to protect human, animals, and the environment from sound pollution. The teacher can
end this activity with a small reflective discussion based on the topic.

53 Environmental Education Playbook

Pollution - Sound Pollution

Climate Fact

Sound pollution is the propagation of noise with ranging impacts on humans and animals.
Noises from vehicles, aircraft, and industrial machines are the primary sources of sound
pollution. The increased global ship traffic and geologic exploration activities contributed to
the disruption of marine ecology, such as the migration and communications of marine ani-
mals. Underwater noise pollution used in maritime seismic survey operations could kill most
zooplankton, an essential food source for many fishes and marine mammals, thus breaking
the marine ecosystem’s food chain. For a human, environmental noise can cause hearing
impairment, hypertension, stress, and fertility imbalance.

The teacher can provide the above icon images to students for their poster drawing and colouring
purpose during the class lesson. After the drawing is completed, the teacher can continue with
debriefing and discussion as below:

Discussion:
1. What is sound pollution?
2. What causes noise and sound pollution in our daily lives?
3. How can you protect your eardrum from sound pollution?

Environmental Education Playbook 54

Acknowledgements

DeRiA and this Environmental Education Playbook would not have been possible without
the help, support, partnership, encouragement and trust of many organisations and indi-
viduals.

We want to thank our sponsor, British High Commission Kuala Lumpur, for funding us un-
der the ‘Communicating Science for Climate Action’ grant programme, in partnership with
the UK Science and Innovation Network and the 2021 United Nations Climate Change
Conference (COP26), and supported by EcoKnights.

We are blessed to have had the support of three distinguished advisors, Professor Piers
Forster from University of Leeds, Associate Professor Choong Weng Wai from Universiti Te-
knologi Malaysia, and Dr Alistair Hunt from University of Bath, who have graciously shared
their invaluable insights and advice, and environmental education experiences.

We are also ever grateful to the following 24 teachers, namely Thanesh Balakrishnan, San-
thy A/P Rengasamy, Elavarasan A/L Selvom, Subramaniam S/O Pasumpon, Fadzillah Binti
Mohamed Osman, Lavanya A/P R. Krishnamurthy, Pavitthra A/P Arulchelvan, Thaneswari
A/P Supparao, Norafizah Binti Mohd, Shanizan Imran Bin Mohd Radzi, Hari Rao S/O Sub-
ramaniam, Sounthra Devi A/P Annamalai, Jen Renita Binti Mappah, Thomas Mason Lim
Beng Ann, Kokilavanni A/P Balan, Samzuraidah Binti Zolkurnain, Mohd Yahya Fadzli Bin
Jusoh, Mohd Fikri bin Md Jamil, Nur Hanis Binti Mohd Khalid, Atiqah Binti Abdul Samad,
Mohamad Halim Bin Hamdan, Navintharan A/L Thanka Velu, Elansegaran Thangamani,
and Kugeneswaran Tamilmany who have attended our inaugural DeRiA Virtual Training
Programme to contribute their innovative ideas that are used and adapted in this playbook.

Heartfelt thanks to our DeRiA Virtual Training Programme’s speakers and mentors — Var-
key Foundation’s Global Teacher Prize finalist Samuel Isaiah; GreenSmith’s representatives
- Christina Lind-Hunter, Wong Yeong Ru, Nancy Sual, and Neyna Chaicaran; UN Sus-
tainable Development Solutions Network’s Global Schools Programme’s representative
Amanda Abrom; Eco-Schools Programme Malaysia’s representatives Jessie Chew, Khou
Jerome, and Deyvanai Arumugam; Klima Action Malaysia’s representative Aroe Ajoeni;
Me.reka/Biji-Biji Initiative’s representative Jeyasudan Balasundran, S.K. Ba’ Kelalan’s rep-
resentative Leoforster Ruben; Sekitar Kita’s representative Affan Nasaruddin; and Goh Mun
Ting — for their unwavering partnership and support to inspire the teachers and share their
environmental education expertise.

This Playbook has been designed using resources from Canva, Freepik.com, Pixabay,
Unsplash and Pexels.

Special thanks to Kelly Dochy for the design and original watercolor illustrations.

55 Environmental Education Playbook