Interdisciplinary microplastics project

Description: This project is part of an educational and research initiative, promoted by the Virolai school, whose focus is to address the growing global problem of microplastic pollution. The main function of the project is to analyse and quantify the presence of these plastic particles, less than 5 millimetres, in the urban environment of the educational community. It is not limited to a class activity, but seeks to establish a real and localized database, transforming students into active researchers to understand how this invisible pollutant impacts their day-to-day lives and the surrounding ecosystem. The methodology of the project is eminently practical and scientific. With the collaboration of the citizen science project Microplastic Watchers. Its specific objective is to develop or implement a simple sampling system for urban areas, perhaps focusing on the collection of air, soil or rainwater samples. Students not only collect the samples, but also take care of their subsequent analysis in the laboratory, using techniques to separate, identify and count microplastics. This phase is crucial, as it allows them to acquire research skills, understand the rigor of the scientific method and determine the typologies and concentrations of plastics present in their locality. Ultimately, the project pursues a double impact: scientific and social awareness. On a scientific level, the data collected can contribute to public or university research on the distribution of microplastics, especially in understudied urban environments. At the educational level, the project works as an immersive learning tool that raises the environmental awareness of the participants, training them to propose solutions or changes in habits that mitigate plastic pollution. Thus, the project transforms an ecological threat into a powerful lesson in sustainability and responsible citizenship.

URL: https://sites.google.com/virolai.com/microplastics2526/micropl%C3%A0stics

Resource Type: Web

Resource Owner: Escola Virolai. Licencia CC

Supported Languages: es |