Informing the Public about Microplastics through a University and Museum Partnership

Microplastics have been found in the most remote locations on Earth as well as in where we live, work, and play. Despite increasing research focus on microplastics, efforts to inform the public about their omnipresence have lagged. To bridge this gap between research and public knowledge, we develop...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical education 2024-01, Vol.101 (1), p.97-103
Main Authors: Milne, Safron L., Ramkumar, Malavika, Rieland, Julie M., Thurber, Henry E., Love, Brian J., McNeil, Anne J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Microplastics
Museum exhibits
Partnerships
Plastic pollution
Pollution control
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Summary:Microplastics have been found in the most remote locations on Earth as well as in where we live, work, and play. Despite increasing research focus on microplastics, efforts to inform the public about their omnipresence have lagged. To bridge this gap between research and public knowledge, we developed a museum exhibit with interactive and informative displays that explain what microplastics are, how they are formed, where they are found, and what individuals can do about it. In a partnership between researchers at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and staff at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum (Detroit), the exhibit highlights the impacts of microplastic pollution in the region. Collected survey data revealed that museum visitors were aware of microplastic pollution and are worried about it, that they felt the museum exhibit was helpful and informative, and that they are likely to take simple actions to decrease microplastic pollution.
ISSN:0021-9584
1938-1328
DOI:10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01017