Papers

20 results
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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

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

Science-Learning Strengthening Model in Islamic Educational Institution: Case Study at MAN 1 Yogyakarta

This case study examines science education practices at an Islamic high school in Indonesia, exploring how the institution strengthens science learning outcomes. While unrelated to microplastics, science literacy is important for public understanding of environmental pollution including plastic contamination.

2021 Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam 4 citations
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

Analysis of Students' Sustainability Awareness of the Environment

This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it assesses the environmental sustainability awareness of high school students in West Java, Indonesia, using a descriptive quantitative educational research approach.

2023 Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA 9 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

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

Development of microplastics pollution e-module in Sengguruh reservoir based on problem-based learning

Researchers developed a problem-based learning e-module on microplastic pollution in the Sengguruh Reservoir, achieving validity ratings of 95-100% from expert validators and practicality ratings above 93% from both teachers and students.

2024 AIP conference proceedings
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

Chemistry inquiry conducted by secondary school students into material degradation in the context of sustainability

Despite its title referencing material degradation and sustainability, this paper describes a chemistry education project in which ninth-grade students investigated how materials break down in the environment using inquiry-based learning — not original microplastic research. It examines green chemistry principles at the secondary school level, and is not relevant to microplastic pollution or human health impacts.

2025 RSC Sustainability 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Addressing the topic, Microplastics in Human Blood, in school – Connecting school students' and scientists' perspectives

This study developed educational approaches to help school students critically engage with the topic of microplastics in human blood, which is often framed as alarming in public discourse despite significant scientific uncertainty about health relevance. The curriculum connected blood microplastic findings to broader science literacy skills including evidence appraisal and risk communication.

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

How Marine Plastic Pollution Education Develops Secondary School Students’ Sustainability Competences

Researchers investigated how marine plastic pollution education affects Norwegian secondary school students' sustainability competences, knowledge, and attitudes toward biodiversity protection using pre- and post-test questionnaires with 50 students. Results showed that structured marine plastic pollution curricula can improve students' understanding of ecosystem impacts and motivate protective behaviors.

2025 Environmental sciences
Article Tier 2

Students’ Attitudes Towards Science: the Contribution of a Citizen Science Project for Monitoring Coastal Water Quality and (micro)plastics

This study found that middle school students participating in a citizen science project monitoring coastal water quality and microplastic pollution showed improved attitudes toward science, particularly in critical thinking and perceived scientific self-efficacy. Hands-on engagement with real environmental monitoring activities can effectively improve science literacy and positive attitudes toward environmental issues in young people.

2021 Journal of Baltic Science Education 15 citations
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

Microplastics Outreach Program: A Systems-Thinking Approach To Teach High School Students about the Chemistry and Impacts of Plastics

An outreach program for high school students used a systems-thinking approach to teach the chemistry of plastics, microplastic pollution, and environmental impacts. Student participants showed improved understanding of how plastic production and disposal connect to ocean ecology and human health.

2019 Journal of Chemical Education 24 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

Addressing the topic, Microplastics in Human Blood, in school – Connecting school students' and scientists' perspectives

Researchers examined the disconnect between public concern and scientific evidence about microplastics in human blood, developing educational approaches to help school students engage critically with the topic. The study identified strategies for connecting classroom learning about blood microplastics to broader science literacy and evidence-based thinking skills.

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

Level of Awareness and Attitudes towards Plastic Contamination by Students of an Italian University

A survey of 220 Italian university students found significant gaps in awareness about micro- and nanoplastic contamination, with many not connecting everyday behaviors to plastic pollution despite science-oriented backgrounds.

2024 Sustainability 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
Article Tier 2

Pedagogical Purposes of Scientifical and Technological Literacy within Sustainable and Green Chemistry in the High School

This paper distinguishes between environmental, sustainable, and green chemistry and discusses how these frameworks can be integrated into high school science education. Teaching students about plastic pollution and its chemical impacts is part of developing scientifically literate citizens.

2023 Preprints.org 1 citations