In April, high school students from Parsippany and Millburn, New Jersey, gained hands-on experience investigating microplastics in their environment.
The students visited Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, part of the Columbia Climate School, for a two-day lab session where they brought clothing and shrimp to study. They learned about the prevalence of microplastics in various products and its impact on food systems and human health.
Under the mentorship of Joaquim Goes, a research professor at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the students engaged in experiments extracting and isolating microplastics from samples. They found traces of microplastics in shrimp, laundry water, laundry sheets, and pond water.
Students shared their reflections on the importance of collecting precise data and the challenge of reducing plastic consumption. They acknowledged the need for individual and collective efforts to combat microplastic pollution.
A summer program will be available for more students to join the conversation on microplastics issues. The project aims to educate youth on solutions for mitigating plastic use and managing plastic waste sustainably.
This initiative is a part of the project “Community Science to Address Microplastic Pollution in Environmental Underserved Communities in New Jersey and New York.” It is a collaborative effort to raise awareness about marine debris and promote environmental literacy in schools.
