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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Message in a (Plastic) Bottle
ClearCaixas 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.
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.
An Ocean of Science: an educational laboratory approach for the protection and preservation of the marine environment
An educational project called 'An Ocean of Science' developed laboratory activities for schoolchildren to learn about marine pollution, including microplastics, through hands-on scientific investigations. The program aimed to build scientific literacy and environmental awareness among students in multiple countries.
Trawling Through the Five Gyres: A Microplastic Research Study
This paper describes an educational lesson plan — not a primary research study — in which middle-school students count and classify microplastic samples collected from the five ocean gyres to learn about marine debris. While not a peer-reviewed field study, it reflects the level of scientific consensus on ocean microplastic accumulation (estimated at over 170 trillion particles) and its importance for science literacy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Modeling the Global Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans
Students built a mathematical model to estimate global plastic waste generation and ocean runoff from 1980 to 2015 using publicly available data. The model forecasts continued growth in ocean plastic accumulation, underscoring the need for systemic changes in plastic production and waste management to prevent further marine contamination.
Microplastics in the Environment: Raising Awareness in Primary Education
This study developed and evaluated a microplastics education program for primary school children, finding that age-appropriate lessons about plastic pollution could meaningfully increase students' environmental awareness. The authors argue that early education is a key component of long-term plastic pollution reduction strategies.
Citizen observation of plastic pollution in coastal ecosystems to address data gaps in marine litter distribution
Researchers launched the COLLECT citizen science project in seven African and Asian countries, training 15-18 year-old students to sample and analyze macro-, meso-, and microplastics in beach sediments using standardized scientific protocols, while simultaneously measuring shifts in ocean literacy and pro-environmental behavior to quantify the educational impact of the intervention.
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.
Having fun and raising awareness: Italian students monitor airborne microplastic in school environments
An Italian educational project involved high school students in monitoring airborne microplastic passive deposition inside and outside school buildings, finding that students became more aware of their personal role in microplastic pollution while generating real data on indoor and outdoor MP concentrations.
Increasing Awareness on the Health Effects of Microplastics in Middle and High School Classrooms
Educators developed a presentation and hands-on laboratory experiment on microplastic health effects for middle and high school students, finding that structured lessons significantly improved student understanding of how micro- and nanoplastics interact with the human body. The curriculum addresses a documented gap in public education about plastic pollution biology.
Integrating Community Service into Student Learning: A Model Event of a Plastic Waste Cleanup
Despite its title referencing plastic waste, this paper describes an educational outreach program combining beach cleanup events with classroom lectures on plastic recycling and sustainability — not original scientific research on microplastic pollution. It examines how community service can be integrated into student learning experiences and is not relevant to microplastics science or human health impacts.
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.
Pembimbingan siswa SD sekitar lokasi pantai wisata Kastela untuk smart berplastik
Not relevant to microplastics research; this paper describes an educational program teaching Indonesian elementary school students about waste sorting and sustainable waste management through interactive play-based methods.
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.
Pelucco's journey: Teaching kids about microplastic pollution and ocean protection
Researchers developed and evaluated 'Pelucco's Journey,' an educational initiative designed to teach children about microplastic pollution and ocean protection, framing scientific content within an accessible narrative for young audiences. The study drew on evidence that effective microplastic mitigation policies require paired public education to increase awareness and promote behavioral change.
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.
Our Containment World- Plastics
This is a grade 5 classroom lesson plan about plastic pollution and community impacts, not a scientific research paper. It does not contain empirical findings relevant to microplastics research.
Schools against plastics: Schooling environmentally conscious students and supporting research on marine litter and microplastics
A citizen science initiative engaged Greek students in monitoring plastic pollution on two coastal beaches, finding macrolitter densities of 0.6 to 5.9 items per square meter and microplastic concentrations of 4.6 to 102.5 particles per kilogram of sand. Single-use plastics, especially bottle caps and cigarette butts, made up over 25% of collected items, and microplastics were also found inside sea urchins at both sites. The project demonstrates that student participation can generate scientifically valuable pollution data while building environmental awareness.
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.