{"id":4994,"date":"2025-09-30T21:16:31","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T21:16:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/wrigley\/?p=4994"},"modified":"2025-09-30T21:18:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T21:18:57","slug":"communicating-the-impact-of-marine-debris-through-storytelling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/wrigley\/2025\/09\/30\/communicating-the-impact-of-marine-debris-through-storytelling\/","title":{"rendered":"Communicating the impact of marine debris through storytelling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Communicating the impact of marine debris through storytelling<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n By<\/span>Hailey Mercer <\/strong>\n \n September 30, 2025<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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This summer, I stepped into many new roles: an environmental communicator, a videographer, a film editor, and a beach cleanup volunteer. I had little to no experience with any of these skills at the start of my internship, making it both intimating and exciting. Over the summer, I <\/span>not only improved personal skills, but I came to realize that effective communication and knowledge around the climate crisis are equally essential as the science itself. <\/span><\/p>\n

My name is Hailey Mercer, and I am entering my junior year as an Environmental Studies major at USC. I didn\u2019t always see myself in this field, and when I hesitantly signed up for AP Environmental Science in high school for the GPA boost, I had no idea this area of study would soon become my college undergrad concentration and future passion. Growing up, I had always been surrounded by a variety of pets and animals, including dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, and even a green cheeked conure. My friends call my house a zoo, and honestly, I couldn\u2019t have asked for a better environment to spark my love for animals. As I started to study the environment, I realized that caring for animals and wildlife also meant caring for the ecosystems they rely on. This perspective ultimately led me to pursue environmental studies at USC, where I\u2019ve been able to explore the significance of sustainability and conservation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alongside my growing interest in environmental science in high school, I also discovered a passion for communications as a staff writer for my school’s newspaper. Taking part in journalism allowed me to learn the importance of communicating reliable information in order to inform and inspire action in an audience. Through this, I was able to develop strong skills in storytelling, research, and editing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starting at USC, I had grown eager to apply my knowledge of the environment to something hand-on, and when I was offered the position for the Wrigley Institute\u2019s Environmental Communications Internship with my mentors, Dr. Karla Heidelberg<\/a> and Sydney Rilum, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to bridge my love for the environment with my interests in journalism and storytelling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As both the Director of the USC Sea Grant Program<\/a> and a scientist researching the function of marine microbes and zooplankton, Dr. Heidelberg has shown me how essential marine life is in ensuring the health of our planet. Her work has demonstrated that even the smallest forms of ocean life play vital roles in maintaining the environment. I also had the pleasure of working under Sydney Rilum, USC Sea Grant\u2019s Science, Research and Policy Specialist<\/a> whose work focuses on marine debris and expanding environmental outreach and education programs. Through my mentors\u2019 guidance, I had the opportunity to help strengthen marine debris and microplastic communication, further helping these pressing issues become more accessible to the public.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

K-12 Marine Debris Curriculum\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the main projects I worked on during the internship was helping create a K-12 marine debris curriculum webpage intended for teachers looking for educational resources that focus on marine debris and microplastics. The goal of the project was to be able to provide educators with a \u2018one stop shop\u2019 that is easily accessible and filled with engaging ocean science materials they can use in their classrooms. Through my experience researching curriculum materials and designing the structure and content of the webpage, I gained valuable insight to how educational resources play crucial roles in addressing environmental challenges. This p<\/span>roject has allowed me to recognize the true significance and impact of science communication, as educating the public is essential to building awareness and understanding around climate issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>marine debris database<\/span><\/a> is now available on USC Sea Grant\u2019s education page under \u201cResources and Curriculum,\u201d where educators can explore a large variety of marine debris tools and activities. On the main webpage, I highlighted five key resources that range from interactive lesson plans to online games, each designed to engage students in learning about ocean pollution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Marine Debris Capstone Video\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The other focus of my internship was creating a capstone video that highlights the real-world effects of plastic pollution and marine debris that has accumulated in our environment. My project features an interview with Tayler Locke, Heal the Bay\u2019s Beach Programs Manager, where she discusses the importance of community engagement to encourage environmental change. I met with Tayler at Heal the Bay\u2019s June \u201cNothin But Sand\u201d beach cleanup event where I was able to capture footage of volunteers as well as participate in the cleanup myself. There, I was able to experience firsthand the impact of marine debris along our ocean environments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the L.A. beach cleanup, I also traveled to USC Wrigley Institute\u2019s Catalina Island campus, the Wrigley Marine Science Center<\/a>, to film another cleanup effort along Catalina Harbor. I joined Dr. Clay Wang\u2019s Pharmacology lab<\/a> during the event, where I helped collect marine debris and plastics that their lab plans to study and potentially convert some of the debris into sustainable dyes and laundry detergents.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second half of my capstone video highlights an interview with Dr. Eun Ji Chung<\/a>, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at USC. In the interview, Dr. Chung discusses a potential solution for marine debris. Her lab has been working to develop an alternative plastic material made from the calcium found in seashells, with the goal of creating a more sustainable and biodegradable option compared to traditional single-use plastics.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, this internship has allowed me to grow in ways I never expected, from developing videography and editing skills to participating in various beach cleanup events, I have gained a deeper understanding of the significance of environmental communications and storytelling. I have also developed a stronger understanding of the impacts of marine debris and how this issue affects both our coastlines and ecosystems around the world. I would like to sincerely thank the Wrigley Institute and USC Sea Grant team for giving me the opportunity to contribute to these meaningful environmental efforts that will create a lasting impact. As I move forward in my education and career, the skills I have gained through this experience will continue to shape my future and guide my environmental efforts towards creating positive change on our planet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch Hailey’s internship capstone video below.<\/em><\/p>\n