KS3-4: Microplastic pollution: How bad is it and what can we do to solve it? Video included

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Suitable for 11-18-year olds (secondary and high schools, and college), this article and accompanying activity sheet can be used in the classroom, environmental clubs and at home.

This resource links to KS3 Biology: Relationships in an ecosystem; Chemistry; and KS4 Biology: Ecosystems; Chemistry: Chemical and allied industries. It is also internationally relevant.

It can be used as a careers resource and links to Gatsby Benchmarks:
Gatsby Benchmark 2: Learning from career and labour market information
Gatsby Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers

The article includes an explanation of microplastics and how the scientists go about finding them, plus an interview with marine chemist Prof Jay Brandes and environmental educator Dodie Sanders. It also discusses the importance of citizen science in projects like this one.

The activity sheet includes discussion points - eight questions the students can answer in groups or individually. There are also details of Citizen Science projects happening around that world that are open to students of all ages.

This resource was first published on Futurum Careers, a free online resource and magazine aimed at encouraging 14-19-year-olds worldwide to pursue careers in science, tech, engineering, maths, medicine (STEM) and social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy (SHAPE).

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