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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Observing Microplastics in the Environment through Citizen-Science-Inspired Laboratory Investigations
ClearCitizen_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.
Detecting Microplastics in Soil and Sediment in an Undergraduate Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Experiment That Promotes Skill Building and Encourages Environmental Awareness
Researchers developed an undergraduate environmental chemistry laboratory experiment for detecting microplastics in soil and sediment using research-based methods, demonstrating that the exercise effectively builds analytical skills while increasing students' awareness of microplastic pollution and its environmental prevalence.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monitoring Microplastics in Surface Water—A Pacing Guide for Grades 5–12
This educational guide introduces a citizen science protocol for middle and high school students to monitor microplastics in surface water. Engaging students in real data collection builds environmental literacy and contributes to broader community-level microplastic monitoring efforts.
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.
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.
Have You Ever Seen a Microplastic? A Collaborative High School–Academia Approach for Identification, Quantification and Raising Awareness of Microplastics in a River Crossing Urban Area
Researchers designed a high school–university collaboration where students collected water samples from an urban river, identified microplastics by microscopy, and contributed to local pollution mapping — demonstrating that student-led citizen science can meaningfully advance microplastic monitoring while raising environmental awareness.
Exploring the Tiny World of Microplastics in Your Own “Lab”
This educational article introduces microplastics to young readers by explaining their origins from the breakdown of everyday plastic objects, their varied shapes and sizes, and their discovery across remote environments from Arctic lakes to ocean sediments. The article demonstrates low-cost methods that students can use to analyze microplastics and encourages participation in citizen science.
Accuracy of a Simple Microplastics Investigation Method on Sandy Beaches
This study assessed whether high school students using simple, low-cost tools (tape measures, cardboard, and seawater instead of heavy laboratory liquids) could accurately survey microplastic levels on sandy beaches. Results showed high accuracy — up to 89% particle recovery using seawater alone — suggesting that citizen science beach monitoring programs can generate reliable data. Democratising microplastic monitoring is important for scaling up environmental surveillance beyond what professional researchers can cover.
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.
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.
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.
Microplastic Pollution Projects and Participatory Science
This paper discusses citizen science and participatory science projects for monitoring microplastic pollution, reviewing methodological approaches, data quality considerations, and the potential for large-scale pollution mapping through public engagement.
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.
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.
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.
Psychological outcomes from a citizen science study on microplastics from household clothes washing
A three-month citizen science project in the Netherlands studied how participating in microfiber laundry bag monitoring influenced residents' environmental awareness and washing behaviors, finding that hands-on engagement with pollution measurement can shift consumer attitudes.