Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

School science activities with contributions from STEM practices: A study to address complex problems in elementary school classes, in the case of microplastics and their harmful effects

Researchers developed a theoretical and explanatory framework identifying which aspects of STEM education can strengthen the design of school science activities addressing complex problems such as microplastic pollution in elementary school settings. The study proposes a model for integrating STEM practices into classroom activities to build students' capacity to engage with real-world environmental challenges.

2025 Repositorio Universidad Distrital
Article Tier 2

Increasing knowledge and awareness of microplastic pollution in United States middle school students in a hybrid-classroom setting through science education

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution knowledge and awareness among middle school students in the United States, finding significant gaps in understanding of microplastic sources, pathways, and human health implications. The study highlights an educational opportunity and suggests targeted curriculum integration could improve scientific literacy around plastic pollution in younger generations.

2024 Journal of Geoscience Education 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Science Literacy Profile of High School Students: Implications of PBL Didactic Design on the Topic of Microplastics

This education research paper is not primarily about microplastic risks; it studies Indonesian high school students' scientific literacy after a problem-based learning curriculum using microplastics as a teaching topic, assessing students' ability to explain phenomena, evaluate investigations, and interpret data within the PISA framework.

2026 Hydrogen Jurnal Kependidikan Kimia
Article Tier 2

Scientific literacy through Problem-Based Learning focusing on the occurrence and consequences of microplastics in the environment

Researchers implemented a Problem-Based Learning approach to develop scientific literacy skills in students by focusing on the occurrence and environmental consequences of microplastics. The study, conducted in a Portuguese-language educational context, used microplastics as a real-world science topic to cultivate critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making competencies.

2024 Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo)
Article Tier 2

Microplásticos no corpo humano: um percurso investigativo no ensino médio para despertar a consciência ambiental

This experience report describes a secondary school investigative didactic sequence in Brazil on microplastics in the human body, guiding 10th-grade students from initial hypothesis through flipped classroom activities to experimental investigation. The project successfully engaged students with environmental science and raised awareness of personal microplastic exposure.

2025 Health and Biosciences
Article Tier 2

Raising environmental awareness: evaluating microplastic education interventions in Jakarta’s high schools

Researchers found that hands-on, interactive teaching methods work better than traditional lectures for helping high school students understand microplastic pollution (tiny plastic particles that can harm our health and environment). However, actually changing students' attitudes and behaviors about plastic use may require longer, more comprehensive programs. This matters because educating young people effectively about microplastics could help reduce plastic pollution that ends up in our food and water.

2026 International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health
Article Tier 2

Community-Engaged Research Projects in School Settings: Science Teachers’ Practices and Reflections

Not relevant to microplastics — this education research study analyzes how nine teachers implemented community-engaged research projects addressing environmental justice issues in their classrooms, focusing on pedagogy, student empowerment, and institutional challenges.

2024 Social Sciences 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Citizen_Labs – conception and evaluation of a course on plastic waste and microplastic in adult education

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.

2022 CHEMKON 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Desenvolvimento da literacia química de alunos do ensino básico

A Portuguese citizen-science project engaged over 500 middle-school students in testing coastal water quality and learning about microplastic pollution through hands-on chemistry investigations. The program significantly improved students' attitudes toward chemistry and their conceptual understanding of water parameters and polymers compared to a control group, demonstrating that microplastic science can be an effective hook for building broader scientific literacy in young people.

2024 Educación Química 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Students’ attitudes towards the environment and marine litter in the context of a coastal water quality educational citizen science project

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.

2023 Australian Journal of Environmental Education 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Fourteen-Year-Old Students’ Understanding of Problems Related to Microplastics in the Environment

Researchers assessed 14-year-old Slovenian students' understanding of microplastics in the environment, a topic absent from the national curriculum. The study found that students had limited knowledge, though performance correlated with grades in chemistry and biology, and exposure through informal or extracurricular science activities improved understanding.

2025 Sustainability
Article Tier 2

Increasing Students' Quality of Argumentation by Using Drama in Lower Phase Secondary Education

This study explored how drama can improve the quality of student arguments about controversial socio-scientific topics including environmental issues. Improving public science literacy and debate skills is important for building societal capacity to address challenges like microplastic pollution.

2019 Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University)
Article Tier 2

Microplásticos: uma abordagem prática para produção de plástico biodegradável como estratégia de educação ambiental no ensino básico

Researchers surveyed 146 high school students in Gravataí, Brazil, on their awareness of microplastic pollution and then conducted a hands-on bioplastic production activity as an environmental education intervention. Results showed that approximately 71% of students had limited prior knowledge of microplastics, and the practical activity significantly improved awareness and motivated behavioral reflection about plastic consumption.

2022 Brazilian Journal of Science 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Developing Moral Responsibility of Grade 9 Students Through an Active Learning on an Online Platform

This Thai education study used an active learning approach on an online platform to develop moral responsibility in Grade 9 students. The research focuses on pedagogical methods and has no direct connection to microplastics or environmental science.

2023 Journal of Educational Issues
Article Tier 2

Detecting, sensibilization and measuring microplastics in the environment: a guidebook of practical activities for primary and secondary schools

Researchers developed a practical guidebook for primary and secondary school students to detect, measure, and understand microplastic pollution using table salt as a simple, accessible study matrix. The activities integrate scientific, technological, chemical, and geological concepts while addressing four UN Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to raise environmental awareness about microplastics in the educational system.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Caixas didáticas para popularização científica dos microplásticos e impacto nos organismos e ecossistemas aquáticos

This Brazilian study developed and tested educational kits for teaching students about microplastics and their impacts on ecosystems, deploying the materials in public schools. Science education tools that make microplastic pollution tangible for students are important for building the public awareness needed to drive behavior change and support policy solutions.

2023 Journal of Environmental Analysis and Progress
Article Tier 2

Next steps for research on society and microplastics

This perspective paper assessed the contributions of social and behavioral sciences to microplastics research, covering policy analysis, public education, and stakeholder engagement. The authors argue for greater integration of social science methods to understand and reduce plastic pollution at the human systems level.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Contextual Teaching and Learning in Learning Environmental Pollution: the Effect on Student Learning Outcomes

This study evaluated contextual teaching and learning approaches for environmental pollution education, finding that connecting plastic pollution and waste concepts to real-world situations significantly improved student comprehension and motivation compared to conventional instruction.

2022 Prima Magistra Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan 22 citations
Article Tier 2

A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) using Ocean Plastic Microbes as a Framework that Is Impactful for Both In-Person and Online Course Modalities

This paper is not directly about microplastics as an environmental hazard; it describes a course-based undergraduate research experience built around studying microbes that colonize ocean plastic debris, using it as a pedagogical framework for biology laboratory courses.

2023 Education Research International
Article Tier 2

Engage. Equipping the next generation for active engagement in science. Periodic report number 2.

This report describes the ENGAGE educational project aimed at preparing students to engage with socio-scientific issues including environmental topics like microplastics. The initiative embeds Responsible Research and Innovation principles into secondary school science curricula across Europe.

2017 SHURA (Sheffield Hallam University Research Archive) (Sheffield Hallam University) 1 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Assessing experimental activities in chemistry instruction: a systematic review of available tools

This systematic review of assessment tools for chemistry lab activities found that most tools focus on cognitive outcomes in higher education, with limited attention to psychomotor skills or primary/secondary education levels. While not directly about microplastics, the review highlights gaps in how experimental science education is evaluated.

2025 Chemistry Teacher International
Systematic Review Tier 1

Sustainable Development Issues in Chemistry Learning as Educational for Sustainable Development Implementation: A Systematic Literature Review

This systematic literature review synthesized research on integrating sustainable development issues into chemistry education. While not directly about microplastics, it identified microplastic pollution as one of the sustainability topics being incorporated into chemistry curricula to help students understand real-world environmental challenges.

2026 Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika dan Sains
Article Tier 2

Encouraging Students’ Critical Thinking Using Problem-Based Book Integrated Daily Problems and Solutions about Environmental Pollution

This study developed a problem-based learning book to help students think critically about environmental pollution, including plastic waste and microplastics. Students using the book showed improved critical thinking skills compared to those using conventional materials.

2023 Journal of Curriculum and Teaching 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Sokoine University Students Regarding Endocrine Disruptors Coming from Plastic Chemicals

Researchers assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of students at Sokoine University in Tanzania regarding microplastic pollution, finding that while awareness was moderate, practical behaviors to reduce plastic use were limited, highlighting the need for applied environmental education.

2025 Journal of biomedical and life sciences.