On Friday, 30 September, the MSOS Middle School participated in a Beach Plastics Field Survey at Kahala Beach Park. The purpose of the survey was to collect data on beach sand plastic contamination.
After walking to the beach, students ate lunch and prepared for the field survey. The Middle School was divided into 15 survey teams, each led by an 8th-grader, with a 7th-grade recorder and three 6th or 7th-grade collectors. The survey involved marking a survey site, observing and describing the items within the survey area, and obtaining sand samples from the surface, from15 cm below the surface, and again from 30 cm below the surface. The data that was collected will be analyzed and shared with state and local agencies to assist in monitoring plastic contamination on Hawaii’s beaches.
Following completion of the survey, the middle school restored each survey site and then swept the Kahala Beach Park for trash before beginning their trek back to school.
