Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Student participation in a coastal water quality citizen science project and its contribution to the conceptual and procedural learning of chemistry

Researchers developed a citizen science project involving students in monitoring coastal water quality parameters and detecting microplastics, finding that participation improved both conceptual understanding of chemistry and procedural laboratory skills. The study demonstrates the value of citizen science as a formal chemistry learning tool at the secondary level.

2021 Chemistry Education Research and Practice 32 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

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

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

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

Citizen Science as a Pedagogical Tool in Chemistry Education: Students’ Attitudes and Teachers’ Perceptions

This study explored student attitudes toward chemistry and the effects of participating in a citizen science project on those attitudes. Citizen science is highlighted as a potential tool for building chemistry literacy and environmental engagement in young students.

2022 Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education 7 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

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

Can we investigate microplastic pollution with school students? Experiences from eight years of citizen science research

Researchers reported on eight years of citizen science microplastic research conducted with school students through the Plastic Pirates program, sharing methodological experiences and lessons learned from involving more than 24,000 participants across Germany and other European countries in rigorous environmental monitoring.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

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

Can we investigate microplastic pollution with school students? Experiences from eight years of citizen science research

Researchers shared eight years of experience from the Plastic Pirates citizen science program involving over 24,000 school students and teachers in microplastic research across Germany, addressing challenges of contamination prevention, particle size, and sample processing in non-laboratory settings. The study evaluated the feasibility and scientific validity of engaging young citizen scientists in standardized riverine microplastic monitoring.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Systematic Review Tier 1

Citizen Science Project's Contribution to Science Learning Outcome: Systematic Literature Review

This systematic review identified 19 types of citizen science projects that contribute to science learning at school and university levels, finding that six key learning outcomes are most commonly achieved, including content knowledge and scientific inquiry skills. This study is not related to microplastics but was included due to its systematic review methodology.

2023 EDUSAINS 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Observing Microplastics in the Environment through Citizen-Science-Inspired Laboratory Investigations

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.

2023 Journal of Chemical Education 14 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

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

Assessing in-service chemistry teachers’ environmental literacy on hydrosphere pollution

Researchers assessed the environmental literacy of 66 in-service chemistry teachers regarding hydrosphere pollution topics including microplastics, agricultural runoff, ocean acidification, e-waste, and persistent organic pollutants. Teachers showed moderately low overall environmental literacy with limited knowledge and frequent misconceptions on newer issues like microplastics, despite demonstrating strong pro-environmental dispositions.

2025 Eurasia Journal of Mathematics Science and Technology Education
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
Article Tier 2

Developing and Implementing a Low-Cost, Portable Pedagogical Kit to Foster Students’ Water Quality Awareness and Engagement by Sampling Coastal Waters and Analyzing Physicochemical Properties

Educators developed and implemented a low-cost portable kit allowing students to sample coastal waters and measure water quality parameters to build environmental awareness. The initiative reached 440 students and showed that accessible, field-based learning tools can effectively engage young people with water quality issues.

2020 Journal of Chemical Education 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Enhancing chemistry understanding and attitudes through an outreach education program on circular plastic economy: a case study with Thai twelfth-grade students

Researchers examined the impact of an outreach education program integrating the circular plastic economy (OEC-Circle) on 32 Thai 12th-grade students, finding that inquiry-based learning modules covering plastic chemistry, circular economy, and sustainable polymers improved both chemistry understanding and positive learning attitudes.

2025 Chemistry Teacher International
Article Tier 2

Marine litter education: From awareness to action

An educational intervention on marine litter designed for students from primary to high school level, incorporating lab work and a beach clean-up, significantly changed participants knowledge, perceptions, and behavioral intentions as measured by pre- and post-questionnaires.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 23 citations
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

Monitoring and Promoting Citizen Engagement in Assessing the Ecological Status of Ave River: A Case Study in Northern Portugal

Not relevant to microplastics — this Portuguese study assessed the ecological health of a river using biological and chemical indicators and recruited citizen scientists to help monitor water quality, with no focus on microplastics.

2023 International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources