The Plastic Pollution Patrol
- Marshall Escamilla
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
What’s small, round, and threatening the health of our oceans? You guessed it—nurdles! In our latest episode, we dive into the surprising world of these tiny plastic pellets with Jace Tunnell, founder of Nurdle Patrol. He’s turned beachcombers into citizen scientists, all on a mission to track—and stop—plastic pollution at its source.
In this episode, kids will learn:
What nurdles are and why they’re a big problem
How a simple walk on the beach can turn into a real science investigation
How they can join the Nurdle Patrol themselves and contribute to real scientific data
It’s the perfect story to inspire budding environmental scientists and ocean protectors. Plus, we’ve created an 8-lesson audio course to go along with this episode—ideal for classrooms, summer camps, or curious families looking for hands-on science fun. From collecting data to understanding pollution’s impact, your kids will be doing real science, just like the experts.
Meet Our Expert
Join the Nurdle Patrol with Jace Tunnell!
Have you ever found tiny plastic pellets on the beach? These are called nurdles, and they're a big problem for our oceans.
Jace Tunnell, a marine biologist, started Nurdle Patrol to help clean up these pesky plastics. He invites kids, families, and teachers to become "nurdle patrollers." All you need is 10 minutes, a bag, and your eyes to search for nurdles on the shore.
By counting and reporting the nurdles you find, you help scientists learn where plastic pollution is worst. This information can lead to better laws and cleaner beaches.
Nurdle Patrol has grown from Texas to beaches all over the world. Together, we can protect sea turtles, fish, and other ocean animals from plastic pollution.
Ready to help? Visit nurdlepatrol.org to get started!
This episode was supported by the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under award number SCON-10001259. This content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Gulf Research Program or the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
