Where Trash Travels: A Hands-On Look at Marine Debris at Padre Island National Seashore
We’re excited to share our latest completed project: a permanent marine debris exhibit at Padre Island National Seashore, located inside the Malaquite Visitor Center. This interactive museum exhibit combines hands-on learning, educational storytelling, and custom illustration to explore marine pollution and its impact on ocean ecosystems.
Exhibit Concept: A Hands-On Marine Debris Interactive
At the center of the exhibit is a large-scale Plinko-style interactive designed for visitors of all ages. This custom-built game features hand-illustrated backgrounds and game pieces that represent the most common types of marine debris found along the Padre Island shoreline.
How the Interactive Works
Visitors drop debris “chips” into the Plinko board and watch them fall into different origin bins. Each bin represents a common source of ocean pollution, such as beachgoers, boating, fishing gear, or roadside litter. This simple interaction shows how everyday trash can travel from land to sea and harm marine life and coastal habitats.
Illustration and Scientific Accuracy
The exhibit design blends playful illustration with biological accuracy. From the coastal scenes to the debris items, every element was created to feel approachable while staying grounded in real-world science. The origins of debris range from everyday activities, like camping trips, to litter that accidentally flies out of pickup trucks on the highway.
Traveling Version of the Exhibit
In addition to the permanent exhibit at Padre Island National Seashore, we created a portable tabletop version with two pop-up banners. This traveling exhibit allows museums, libraries, and community programs to share the marine conservation message beyond the visitor center.
Why Marine Debris Education Matters
This exhibit was designed to raise awareness about marine debris and encourage visitors to protect the ocean. By understanding where pollution comes from, people can make small changes that reduce trash entering waterways. Education is one of the most powerful tools for ocean conservation.
Join us in celebrating our oceans—and in helping protect them for future generations.
