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Observing Microplastics in the Environment through Citizen-Science-Inspired Laboratory Investigations
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This paper describes three hands-on laboratory activities developed for high school students to extract, count, and identify microplastics from personal care products, water, and sediment samples, inspired by citizen science methods. The activities aim to increase students' environmental literacy and motivate engagement with the microplastics problem through direct experimentation. Engaging young people in microplastics science is important for building the next generation of environmentally aware citizens and researchers.
As the use of plastics expands, microplastic concentrations increase in aquatic environments and negatively impact water, soil, and animals inhabiting these areas. Microplastic research frequently incorporates citizen science to assist in data collection and environmental education. These projects provide opportunities for greater societal inclusion in science by involving volunteers and increasing the science capital in individuals with fewer science experiences. Integrating the goals of microplastic citizen science projects through a high school laboratory can increase students’ knowledge of this critical issue while incorporating innovative science activities in classrooms. This paper describes three activities designed for high school students to extract, quantify, and observe microplastics from personal care products, water, and sediment samples. Relevant citizen science-inspired activities can increase environmental stewardship and students’ science capital while creating a culture of engagement with science-related activities.
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Researchers conceived and evaluated a citizen science laboratory course on plastic waste and microplastics for adult education, examining how experiential learning formats can raise environmental awareness and scientific literacy about plastic pollution among non-specialist participants.
Helping the Public Understand the Microplastics Issue: Integrating Citizen Science Techniques and Hands-On Education Experiences with Ongoing Microplastics Research
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This paper describes a citizen science and hands-on education program that engages the public in real microplastic sampling and analysis to build understanding of the marine microplastic pollution problem. Integrating public participation into ongoing research helps both collect data and increase environmental awareness.
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Researchers developed an undergraduate environmental chemistry laboratory experiment for detecting microplastics in soil and sediment using research-based methods, demonstrating that the exercise effectively builds analytical skills while increasing students' awareness of microplastic pollution and its environmental prevalence.
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Middle school students who participated in a citizen science project monitoring coastal water quality and microplastic pollution showed significantly more positive environmental attitudes afterward compared to a control group. The study suggests that hands-on engagement with real microplastic research can be an effective way to build environmental awareness in young people.
Student Experiments on the Topic of Micro-plastics in the Environment for Secondary Education Level II: The Coffee Pad Machine Experiment and Sediment Analysis
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.