Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Education Research International
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

Igarapés como espaço educacional não formal para estudantes de uma escola pública no interior do Estado do Amazonas, Brasil

This paper describes a Brazilian educational project that used polluted and unpolluted local streams as outdoor classrooms to teach high school students about water pollution, including microplastics, through hands-on inquiry. While microplastic education is a component, the paper is primarily focused on pedagogy rather than reporting original microplastic research findings.

2023 Journal of Education Science and Health 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Discover Education 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 IRIS UNIMORE (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia)
Article Tier 2

Creating Creative Educational Opportunities among Engineering and Arts Students

This paper is not about microplastics — it describes an educational model that integrates engineering and arts students through design-thinking collaborative projects.

2024 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

Broadening Participation through Research Experiences in Marine Science: An Early-Admit Immersive College Course Provides Experiential, Place-Based Scientific Training for Hawai‘i High School Students

This paper describes an immersive marine science research program for high school students from underrepresented groups in Hawaii. The program is focused on science education and STEM equity rather than microplastic contamination.

2022 Oceanography 4 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2018 Journal of Chemical Education 28 citations
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

Contaminants Adsorption on Microplastics as a Final Degree Project

This conference paper describes a student project on measuring contaminant adsorption onto microplastics as a final degree exercise, introducing students to analytical chemistry methods for studying microplastic-pollutant interactions. Hands-on education about microplastics helps train the next generation of researchers to address this global environmental challenge.

2023 ICERI proceedings
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

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

A CURE for Microplastics: Introducing First-Year Honors Students to Environmental Chemistry through Undergraduate Research

Researchers developed a course-based undergraduate research experience for first-year honors students centered on microplastic environmental chemistry, providing early research exposure to underrepresented STEM students. The study assessed whether such early-stage CUREs improve STEM persistence and students' sense of scientific identity.

2024 Journal of Chemical Education 6 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

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

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

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.

2024 Social Sciences 2 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Journal of Chemical Education 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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

Having fun and raising awareness: Italian students monitor airborne microplastic in school environments

Italian high school students participated in a hands-on science project to collect and analyze airborne microplastics deposited inside their schools, then shared findings with classmates through peer teaching. The project measurably increased students' environmental awareness and sense of personal responsibility, demonstrating that student-led monitoring can serve both scientific and educational goals.

2025 Current Research in Environmental Sustainability
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 1 citations
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