Trash is an everyday part of our life, from the trash cans in our homes, to the litter on our streets and in storm drains and the landfills in our communities. Being aware of our ʻōpala (trash) is an important part of environmental stewardship and that awareness starts with education.
That’s why we’ve made it easy for local educators and families to bring lessons on storm water and trash reduction into classrooms and homes. These curated educational resources, available on our website, can help students explore how everyday actions affect our storm drains, streams, and ocean, while building skills in research, problem-solving, and environmental stewardship.
Below are several resources available at https://www.stormwaterhawaii.com/education-resources/.
Trash-Related Science Projects
Real-world storm water challenges give students a chance to learn about the impact of trash on the environment through research, observation, and hands-on problem solving. These science projects introduce topics such as water pollution, biodegradable materials, and trash reduction, helping students better understand how trash as a pollutant affects the environment and public health.
- How Long Does Trash Last?
- Do Your Storm Drains Keep the Ocean Trash Free?
- Disappearing Act: How Fast Do Different Biodegradable & Compostable Materials Decompose?
- Biodegradable Plastics
Hawaiʻi Storm Patrol Young Professionals: Lessons About Trash
For more in-depth trash-related learning, check out our Hawaiʻi Storm Patrol Young Professionals Program lessons! The program as a whole introduces students to careers in storm water management, with lessons that help students see how environmental planning, engineering, research, and design connect to create better waste management for cleaner communities and healthier waterways.
Some of our upcoming trash-related lessons include:
- Lesson 2, How Does the Rain Flow?
- Lesson 4, Balancing Your Pollution Budget
- Lesson 6, Trash Pollution & Engineering Solutions
- Lesson 9, Designing for Storm Water
- Lesson 13, Resources and Risks
The program will officially launch in September 2026 and will be completely free to access. To learn more about the program and be the first to know when it is available to download, sign up for our eNewsletter!
Whether you’re a teacher looking for classroom activities or a parent searching for educational tools at home, these resources offer an easy way to help students learn about storm water, trash reduction, and their role in protecting Hawaiʻi’s environment.
To explore the full list of educational resources, visit https://www.stormwaterhawaii.com/education-resources/.
