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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Knowledge-Building Approach to Address Societal Grand Challenge in Large-Enrollment Introductory Materials Science and Engineering Course
ClearA Knowledge Analysis of an Engineering Application Related to Sustainable Development
This educational paper presents a knowledge analysis framework for engineering students to evaluate material selection criteria, incorporating sustainability considerations including environmental impacts and plastic pollution in a structured decision-making methodology.
Sustainability Matters
This paper is not about microplastics; it is a longitudinal study of engineering students' evolving awareness of and engagement with sustainability issues during their studies.
Microplastics in Biosolids: Integrating Environmental Risk Assessment into Sustainability Engineering Education
Researchers argue that microplastics accumulating in wastewater biosolids and subsequently applied to agricultural land require a formal environmental risk assessment framework, and present a problem-based curriculum model embedding this framework into sustainability engineering education to prepare graduates for plastic pollution challenges.
Education for Sustainable Development Oriented Didactic Design in A Bioplastic Context in Overcoming Barriers to Learning and Developing Attitude and Environmental Awareness
Researchers designed and evaluated a bioplastic curriculum using Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) principles, finding that hands-on bioplastic-making activities improved student understanding of sustainability concepts. The didactic design demonstrates how materials science and environmental education can be integrated in classroom settings.
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.
Research-based learning as an innovative approach for teaching students of environmental engineering: a case study of the emerging field of microplastics in soil
Researchers at a German university designed hands-on, low-cost laboratory experiments teaching environmental engineering students how microplastics affect soil processes, using a research-based learning approach instead of traditional lectures. The module was so effective that multiple students continued into graduate research on the topic and the course was made freely available online.
Aligning classroom assessment with engineering practice: A design‐based research study of a two‐stage exam with authentic assessment
This education research paper describes the design of a two-stage exam incorporating authentic engineering assessment tasks. It is not related to microplastics or environmental health.
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.
Internationalisation at Home: Developing a Global Change Biology Course Curriculum to Enhance Sustainable Development
Researchers developed an internationalisation-at-home curriculum for a Global Change Biology course, using diverse pedagogical approaches to expose all students to global sustainability issues such as climate change and microplastics without requiring international travel, assessing outcomes for sustainable development awareness.
Making Nanoscale Science Research Accessible to High School Students through the Summer Ventures Course
This paper describes the development and implementation of a Nanoscale Science course for high school students in North Carolina through the Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics programme, including hands-on experiments with nanomaterials and microplastics. Evidence-based teaching methods improved student understanding of advanced nanoscience concepts and research design skills.
Work-In-Progress: Integrating Sustainability Across the Chemical Engineering Curriculum
This work-in-progress describes efforts to integrate sustainability concepts, including plastic pollution and circular economy principles, across the chemical engineering curriculum, developing case studies and learning objectives for engineering students.
Curriculum development for student agency on sustainability issues: An exploratory study
Researchers developed an exploratory middle-school sustainability curriculum designed to foster student agency by challenging students to analyze real-world data, construct scientific arguments, and engage in activism around sustainability issues framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
High School Sustainable and Green Chemistry: Historical–Epistemological and Pedagogical Considerations
Not relevant to microplastics — this is a chemistry education paper discussing how to better integrate sustainable and green chemistry into high school curricula, tracing the history of the Science, Technology, and Society movement and advocating for systems thinking approaches.
Science interdisciplinary learning approach: a study interdisciplinary thinking skills and literacy environment
Researchers analyzed the impact of an interdisciplinary science learning approach on prospective teachers' ability to think across disciplines and develop environmental literacy related to sustainability. Using a quasi-experimental design, they compared students who received the interdisciplinary approach with a control group. The study found that integrating multiple scientific disciplines improved both interdisciplinary thinking skills and environmental awareness among future educators.
Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design Framework: (Re-)Designing the Advanced Materials Lifecycle
This paper proposed a Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) framework for redesigning advanced materials — including plastics and nanomaterials — to minimize hazards and environmental impacts from the earliest design stage. The framework integrates safety, environmental, and circularity criteria into materials development.
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.
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.
Sustainability in polymeric materials: A review on basic concepts, socioeconomic challenges, and innovations in the field of nanotechnology
This review, collaboratively produced by undergraduate nanotechnology students at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, synthesizes fundamental concepts, socioeconomic challenges, and nanotechnology innovations related to sustainability in polymeric materials, exploring pathways to reduce plastic environmental impacts.
Analysis of Students' Initial Ability in Biopolymer Material
Researchers used content analysis to assess the initial knowledge of fourth-semester chemistry education students regarding biopolymer materials, finding that 41% demonstrated low initial ability based on 13 descriptive test questions. The results are intended to inform the design of targeted learning interventions to improve student understanding of sustainable polymer materials.
Integration of the Humanities, Science, and Engineering Aspects of an Undergraduate Engineering Research Experience
This paper integrated humanities, science, and engineering perspectives in an undergraduate research experience focused on water treatment, including sustainable separation processes applicable to drinking water, industrial wastewater, and hazardous waste remediation. The interdisciplinary curriculum aimed to prepare students for addressing complex environmental challenges.
Sustainability in K-12 education: how can schools support students to address challenges of environmental sustainability?
This action research study examines how K-12 schools can promote environmental sustainability, finding that successful programs combine student education, school-wide practices, and community engagement to reduce environmental impact.
Educating for environmental transition: the summer school on microplastics
Researchers developed a summer school curriculum on micro- and nanoplastics to train students at the intersection of environmental science, toxicology, and sustainability. The program used MNPs as a case study for interdisciplinary education about complex environmental challenges requiring both scientific and policy responses.
What and why in teaching about sustainability
This paper is not about microplastics; it is a science education study examining how Swedish high school teachers select and justify content when teaching sustainable development, using a pedagogical content knowledge framework.
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.