Projects

Researching Microplastics in the Narragansett Bay | PBSLearning Media

Explore the diverse array of species in the ecosystem of Narragansett Bay, New England’s largest estuary, and consider potential effects of plastic pollution. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, have emerged as a significant environmental concern, infiltrating ecosystems and food webs worldwide. Using the background reading, discussion questions, and organism sorting cards, students will take part in activities that prompt them to think about the bay’s food web and what happens when plastic ends up in our waterways.

Produced by Science & Story Lab for PBSLearning Media and Ocean State Media

The Problem with Microplastics | PBSLearning Media


Explore the diverse array of species in the ecosystem of Narragansett Bay, New England’s largest estuary, and consider potential effects of plastic pollution. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, have emerged as a significant environmental concern, infiltrating ecosystems and food webs worldwide.

This project, made possible with funding from the Rhode Island Sea Grant through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), investigates how microplastics carry pollutants and pathogens in oyster food webs through controlled experiments under current and future warming conditions. The goal of the project is for scientists to collaborate with communication experts to ensure that this research is accessible to the public.

Produced by Science & Story Lab for PBSLearning Media

turtles on the hill poster

Turtles on the Hill

Turtles on the Hill is a love story about a population of rare turtles, a dedicated community conservation group, and the changing coastal landscapes that they share. Over one year in a suburban Rhode Island wildlife refuge, a young woman scientist joins this community to reveal how—despite the existential threats of coastal development, predation, and sea level rise—the lives of the people, the diamondback terrapins, and the estuary are inextricably intertwined. Directed by Carolyn Decker.