Learning Package: Save Our Coral Reefs
Children
By Monsters' Mission
Introduction
What is plastic pollution, and how is it affecting us?
According to the United Nation, 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste goes into our oceans, rivers, and lakes every year. This plastic waste can damage the environment and hurt the animals that live in it.
That is like dumping one garbage truck full of plastic into the ocean every minute!
Watch the Monsters' Missions video!
Click here to join Rooky as he gets transported into the underwater world. Here, he meets a new friend, Tommy the sea-star, who enlightens him about the devastating impacts of plastic pollution. What can Rooky do to help?
Check out more episodes here!
In Singapore, scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have discovered that tiny plastic pieces, called microplastics, are everywhere — in our coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. Even small sea animals that live here have microplastics inside their stomachs and gills!
This is bad news for coral reefs. Plastics that get stuck on coral can block sunlight, scratch their surface, and even spread dangerous germs. Researchers found harmful bacteria living on plastics from Singapore’s beaches — some make corals sick, while others can make people sick too.
How does plastic pollution harm coral reefs and marine life?
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Coral reefs in danger: Plastic bags, bottles, and wrappers can land on corals, making them weak and sick. In Asia, corals that touch plastic are much more likely to get diseases.
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Animals get hurt: Sea turtles, fishes, and seabirds sometimes mistake plastic for food. This can block their stomachs, make them starve, or injure them.
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Tiny plastics = big problem: When large plastics break down into microplastics, they are eaten by small animals like clams and fish. This can change how they grow, swim, and survive.
How does this affect us?
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Food chain: If marine animals eat plastics, those plastics may end up on our plates when we eat seafood.
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Health risks: Some of the bacteria that live on plastics can cause infections in humans if we swim with open cuts or eat contaminated seafood.
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Losing reefs = losing protection: Coral reefs are like shields. They protect Singapore’s shores from big waves and storms. If we lose them, our coasts become weaker.
Activity 1: Make Your Own Terrarium
Recycling plastic waste can be fun!
Learn to make your own terrarium out of an old plastic bottle. Reducing plastic waste can be fun! You just need to get a little creative.
Activity 2: Learn More About Coral Reefs
Do you know your coral reefs? Try this activity sheet to discover amazing ocean secrets, unscramble underwater mysteries, and create your own clownfish home!
Check out the activity sheet here: https://go.gov.sg/nlb-mmsustainabilityactivitysheet
Conclusion
Plastic pollution might feel like a huge problem, but every small action matters. By reducing single-use plastics like straws, bags, and bottles, we can help keep our oceans cleaner and protect coral reefs. When we recycle and reuse, we stop plastics from harming animals, corals, and even ourselves.
Remember: saving the reefs is not just about helping fish and corals — it’s also about keeping our planet safe and beautiful for all of us.
Check out the book recommendations below!
1. Taking Care of the Ocean
Call No.: 004.67 BRI | Collection Junior
Author: Emma Carlson Berne
Publisher: Bearport Publishing Company, 2025
Synopsis: The ocean is important to all life on Earth. Learn about the problems facing these beautiful waters and what we can do to take care of the ocean. Approachable text and bright photos makes this curricular topic come to life.
2. Marina: A Story About Plastic and the Planet
Call No.: BYR | Collection Junior Picture
Author: Jesse Byrd
Publisher: Paw Prints Publishing, 2023
Synopsis: After Marina throws away the plastic wrapper on her sandwich, the plastic goes on a journey to disturb a series of sea creatures before, later, washing up on a beach where Marina and her family are playing. This experience is Marina's introduction to the harmfulness of single-use plastics, lighting a spark within her to learn more and do more to help the planet
Book covers are the copyright of their respective publishers.
3. Over and Under the Coral Reef
Call No.: 591.77 MES | Collection Junior
Author: Kate Messner
Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2025
Also available as an eBook on NLB Overdrive.
Synopsis: Over the reef, terns circle and frigate birds soar. Sea turtles paddle and balloonfish float through the sparkling waves. But under the reef's arms, where nurse sharks prowl the seafloor and octopuses slip away into shadows, there waits a living rainbow of peacock flounders and blue damselfish, pink anemones and creamy conch shells. Discover the dazzling world just beneath the waves—over and under the coral reef.
Book covers are the copyright of their respective publishers.
Sources
NParksSG. (2020, April 21). Make Your Own Soda Bottle Terrarium. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1aqnDh3uiE
National University of Singapore. (2023, Oct 18). NUS marine scientists find toxic bacteria on microplastics retrieved from tropical waters.
Last accessed: 10 October 2025
Tan, A. (2025, May 23). Microplastics found in marine animals in S’pore’s coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds: Study. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/microplastics-found-in-marine-animals-in-spores-coral-reefs-mangroves-and-seagrass-beds-study
Last accessed: 10 October 2025
United Nations Environment Programme. (2025, July 1). Plastic pollution. https://www.unep.org/plastic-pollution
Last accessed: 10 October 2025