Help save Spencer from the Ever-Landfill! Follow Kim, Shawn, and Rolando as they try to defeat Putrid the Polluter. Complete the activities below to gain points!

Grades 9-12
Activities

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A word from Spencer

Spencer Says:

Somewhere along the way we stopped caring for our communities and started littering, leaving trash all over the ground. This trash would get swept up by wind and rain and end up in our nearby waterbodies like lakes, streams, and rivers. It would travel as far as the Chesapeake Bay and on to the Atlantic Ocean.

Spencer the Sprout

So, here’s what you can do. I need you to spread the word for me! Make sure all your classmates do all the things the activities say-recycle things that can be recycled, reuse items that can be used again, and properly dispose of trash in the right place!

Spencer the Sprout

Not only did it take away from the beauty in our community and cause potential harm to wildlife that mistake the litter for food but it also has polluted the water causing harm to fish and other marine animals like our beloved Maryland blue crab.

Spencer the Sprout

Read the book for grades 9-12 first, or visit the other grade's books!

You can flip through the book below this section!

Clean and Beautiful
(Grades 9-12)

Download the book by clicking the yellow download arrow below, or open the book right away by clicking the book cover!

Clean and Beautiful
(Grades K-2)

Clean and Beautiful
(Grades 3-5)

Clean and Beautiful
(Grades 6-8)

Flip through the Clean and Beautiful book below!

Below are the Clean and Beautiful Activities for Grades 9-12. Each activity is worth points! Some activities are graded automatically for correctness and some are not. When you submit an activity, a popup will show with either the points you gained or a button to click that will award you points after completing the activity. The page may need refreshed to show points earned.

All activities can be completed multiple times, but can only collect points once per day. You must be registered and logged in to gain and track points! To track your points, click "My Profile". This will show your overall total points and a breakdown of how they were earned!

Good luck, make Spencer proud!

Let's keep Prince George's County Litter-free Clean Beautiful Proud Together!

Mission 1: Looking Back to Move Forward

Complete the crossword puzzle below to review what we have learned! To fill in the crossword puzzle, click a box and type the corresponding letter then click the next box or hit the enter key to move down the row or column to finish typing the word. Incorrect answers highlight red and correct answers will highlight green!

1. The largest watershed in the United States that covers six states and the District of Columbia

2. Anything that can cause harm to the environment

3. To decrease or eliminate the use of an item

4. To use something more than once for the same or new purpose

5. Trash that is left on the ground or in other open areas

6. A place where all rainwater will drain and collect at the same place

7. Along with the wind this form of precipitation can carry pollution to our nearby waterways

8. Trash that ends up in our waterways

9. Residents, businesses, and organizations can do this to a stream in Prince George’s County to help reduce litter

10. To take something old and turn it into a new item that can be used

11. These type of bottles and bags are a major source of pollution in our nearby waterways

12. Prince George’s County uses this type of litter trap to trap litter and other forms of debris in a stream before it reaches the Anacostia River

Congratulations!

Mission 2: Keeping It Clean in The Neighborhood

Organize a cleanup for your street and ask others in your household to join you.

Download the PGCLitterTRAK application on your smart phone or tablet to help Prince George’s County keep track of the type and amount of litter collected during your cleanup.

This mission has 2 steps! When you are finished with Step 1: Consider the 5 W's, click the Next button to complete Step 2: Post Cleanup Observations.

Supplies:

Gloves Hand Sanitizer Trash Bags

1. Who will join you for the neighborhood cleanup?

2. What are the boundaries for your cleanup area?

3. When is the cleanup happening?

4. Where are you disposing of the trash or taking recyclables after the cleanup?

5. Why is it important to keep your neighborhood clean?

1. Was there more or less litter than you expected to see during the cleanup?

2. What was the most common type of litter you picked up during the cleanup?

3. Was litter concentrated in one area or was it spread throughout the area?

4. Were there trash cans or other disposal options at convenient locations in the area?

5. Did you notice any trash near the storm drain?

The Prince George’s County Department of the Environment’s Litter Reduction Program can assist you with your cleanup by providing bags and gloves. If you take any pictures or videos during your cleanup, please tag #pgcsprout on social media.

MISSION 3: POLLUTION PREVENTION POLICY

According to the Ocean Health Index, these are the top six marine debris items found in cleanups over the last 25 years. Review the items below and develop a policy that would reduce or eliminate at least one of the items from the waste stream. The overwhelming majority of these items started out as litter on land before making its way down our waterways and into the ocean. For an example of a policy go to: http://environment.mypgc.us/foamfree

1. Cigarettes and filters
2. Food wrappers and containers
3. Bottle caps and lids
4. Tableware
5. Plastic bottles
6. Plastic bags

Policy Title:

Policy Statement:

Purpose: What is the purpose of the policy?

Scope: Who and what does the policy cover?

Responsibility: Who’s responsible for implementing and participating in the policy

Impact: What would be the impact if this policy were implemented?

Equity: Will any underserved groups be negatively impacted by the policy? If so, how can the policy be modified to reduce the negative impact?

Mission 4: Using Art as a Tool for Engagement

Many people are unaware that our storm drains release water directly into our local waterways like the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers. This means that if people throw trash in or near the storm drain it has a direct route to our rivers.

Activity: Design your own storm drain. Draw or write a message to discourage people from littering in the storm drain. Let them know where the water goes.

Mission 5: Inspire Others to Act

Getting rid of Putrid the Polluter is going to take teamwork.
Which Action Will You Choose?

Activity: Create your social media campaign.

Purpose: To inspire others to take action so that we will collectively reduce our impact on the environment.

1. What social media platform(s) will you use?

2. Set a goal of how many people you want to follow your lead.

3. Share your commitment via a status update, picture, meme, or video. Select the checkbox for the option(s) you choose.

Status Update Picture Meme Video

5. Who is your target audience?

6. What hashtags will you use?

7. Come up with a slogan, or rap.

Mission 6: Is it True or False

Now it’s time to see how much you really know. Evaluate each statement below and put a check mark to indicate whether it is true or false.

1. The Anacostia and Patuxent River Lower are two local watersheds located within Prince George’s County that are a part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Grades 9-12

Spencer Says:

Read the book for grades 9-12 first, or visit the other grade's books!You can flip through the book below this section!

Clean and Beautiful (Grades 9-12)

Clean and Beautiful (Grades K-2)

Clean and Beautiful (Grades 3-5)

Clean and Beautiful (Grades 6-8)

Flip through the Clean and Beautiful book below!

Let's keep Prince George's County Litter-free Clean Beautiful Proud Together!

Mission 1: Looking Back to Move Forward

Mission 2: Keeping It Clean in The Neighborhood

Organize a cleanup for your street and ask others in your household to join you. Download the PGCLitterTRAK application on your smart phone or tablet to help Prince George’s County keep track of the type and amount of litter collected during your cleanup.

This mission has 2 steps! When you are finished with Step 1: Consider the 5 W's, click the Next button to complete Step 2: Post Cleanup Observations.

MISSION 3: POLLUTION PREVENTION POLICY

Mission 4: Using Art as a Tool for Engagement

Mission 5: Inspire Others to Act

Getting rid of Putrid the Polluter is going to take teamwork. Which Action Will You Choose?

Activity: Create your social media campaign.

Mission 6: Is it True or False

Now it’s time to see how much you really know. Evaluate each statement below and put a check mark to indicate whether it is true or false.

1. The Anacostia and Patuxent River Lower are two local watersheds located within Prince George’s County that are a part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

2. The Chesapeake Bay is longer than the Mississippi River.

3. Prince George’s County was the first County in Maryland to ban single use foam products.

4. Litter can enter our local waterways if it is disposed of in the storm drain.

5. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is the largest estuary in the United States with over 100,000 streams, creeks, and rivers draining to the Bay.

6. Taking care of our local watershed can have a positive impact on the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

7. Blue Crabs, which are a very important part of the Maryland economy, are strong enough to fight off pollution.

8. Businesses in Prince George’s County charge a fee for single use plastic bags.

9. Mussels, clams, and oysters filter the water around them.

10. The water quality of our local rivers, streams, creeks, and lakes, is not as important as the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

Want more information on PGC Proud?

Visit the PGC Proud website:

Official PGC Proud Website

Translator Disclaimer

Mission 1

Points

Points

Mission 4

Mission 2

Points

Mission 3

Points

Mission 5

Points

Activity 4

Points

Read the book for grades 9-12 first, or visit the other grade's books!

You can flip through the book below this section!

Clean and Beautiful
(Grades 9-12)

Clean and Beautiful
(Grades K-2)

Clean and Beautiful
(Grades 3-5)

Clean and Beautiful
(Grades 6-8)

Organize a cleanup for your street and ask others in your household to join you.

Download the PGCLitterTRAK application on your smart phone or tablet to help Prince George’s County keep track of the type and amount of litter collected during your cleanup.

Getting rid of Putrid the Polluter is going to take teamwork.
Which Action Will You Choose?