Artwork to Inspire Discussion About Water Pollution
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Provided by: Bow Seat|Published on: December 6, 2025
Lesson PlansScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this lesson plan from Bow Seat, students will analyze youth-created artwork about water pollution to identify details, themes, and emotional elements.
- Students will deepen their understanding of water-related issues by discussing observations with peers and reflecting on how artwork communicates ideas about pollution and human impact.
Subjects: Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Bow Seat
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This resource offers a clear, structured visual analysis routine that helps students observe artwork closely and share their interpretations with confidence.
- The inclusion of global youth artwork makes the lesson highly engaging and gives students authentic entry points into conversations about water pollution.
Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with basic discussion norms and be comfortable sharing observations in small groups. Students should also be familiar with the causes of water pollution and the damage it does to the environment.
- Teachers may want to review vocabulary such as tension, theme, and emotion to support students’ visual analysis.
- Teachers will need to make the physical or digital frames for the Crop It activity.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Though the ocean awareness contest described in the resource is over, students can still create their own art that tells their climate story.
- If there is extra time, students can read through the reflections written by the artists to explain their pieces. Students can note how the artists express their sentiments in their Work.
- Teachers can use this resource to make connections to Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Below Water.
This resource uses art to connect water pollution and climate change, as student art is used to convey deep messages about the ocean and our climate. Each piece of art is accompanied by a reflection from the artist highlighting the science that supports the image. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs is a global nonprofit working at the intersection of environmental science and the arts. Bow Seat hosts the annual Ocean Awareness Contest, inviting students worldwide to create art, writing, film, and other creative media to learn about and speak up against the climate crisis. Since 2011, Bow Seat has engaged with nearly 30,000 students in all 50 U.S. states and 138 countries.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
