Exploratory Work with the Classroom Community: "assessment of the Pollution of the Sventoji River" in the Citizen Science Project "plastic Pirates"

The Lithuanian coordinators of the new European eco-citizen science project "Plastic Pirates", the Lithuanian Centre for Non-formal Education for Schoolchildren, have invited the Lithuanian coordinators of the project to join the project. This project is not only internationally significant, but also has the distinction of being a citizen science project. It is a practice that is becoming increasingly popular around the world, where data can be collected by any citizen who wants to, and then the data collected is evaluated by scientists and used in real scientific research. The aim of the Plastic Pirates project is to strengthen scientific cooperation in Europe, promote citizen involvement in science, raise environmental awareness and reduce negative environmental impacts. The project has already been joined by 10 European Union countries. Through various activities and investigations, students will learn about research on the state of Europe's rivers, learn how to carry out research correctly and learn about the problem of plastic pollution in seas and oceans. One of the main activities of the "Plastic Pirates" project is research. "Assessment of the pollution of the Sventoji River" is a research activity carried out by the second grade pupils of the Verdenė Gymnasium in Visaginas and their parents. A training film based on practical activities: the Research paper. "Assessment of the pollution of the Sventoji River" in the citizen science project "Plastic Pirates": (369) Tiriamasis darbas. „Šventosios upės taršos vertinimas“ piliečių mokslo projekte „Plastiko piratai“ - YouTube In summary: - The assessment of the pollution of the Šventoji River has been carried out according to the specified methodology. - The protocol with the collected data has been forwarded to the scientists. - 290 metres were walked along the river and 37 pieces of litter were collected. - The total weight of all litter (including plastic waste) was 4,153 kg. - The total weight of all plastic waste is 1,043 kg. - The children cooperated with their parents during the survey. The hypothesis was confirmed: - We were able to carry out the study and to present the data to scientists. (Some time later, we contacted the scientists and found out that microplastic particles had been found in our sample.) Keywords: citizen science, inquiry, project-based activities, STEAM, classroom community.