Investigation of the impacts of macro- and microplastics on the beaches of São Vicente

• Grant number: 25/18379-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Sylmara Lopes Francelino Gonçalves Dias
• Grantee: Lavínia Cristina Brazão de Lima
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 25/03867-2 - Climate Education for high school students in the municipality of São Vicente-SP Brazil: development of teaching materials and teaching-learning strategies, AP.R

Abstract

The objective of the scientific initiation is to produce an educational podcast on the impacts of plastics on coastal environments in the context of climate emergency. Specifically, it aims to: i. develop teaching tools and active strategies with the application of citizen science for climate education; and ii. organise information on the impacts of plastics and microplastics on the physical environment and living beings, considering the skills of the BNCC and the São Paulo Curriculum in the areas of Biology, Physics and Chemistry, in an interdisciplinary manner.The following activities are planned for the project proposed here: 1. systematic review of the literature (SRL) on macro- and microplastics, ocean culture, climate change, teaching strategies, and citizen science; 2. visits to schools to collect primary data: interviews, questionnaires or direct observations, in order to obtain specific information about the region in which the participating schools are located and relate it to the possible impacts of plastics; 3. accompanying teachers on field trips with high school students to train students in citizen science; 4. planning, executing and systematising data from field visits for data collection with citizen science, accompanied by teachers and researchers involved in the project; 5. participate in the development, application, validation, and systematisation of teaching material content at school; 6. organise material for the production of an educational and thematic podcast on active teaching-learning strategies covering: macro- and microplastics and climate change in the coastal context; and 7. assist in the dissemination of teaching material at school and in academic environments and in wide dissemination. Production and alignment of content for availability on the co.educa digital platform.Some methodological possibilities that can be employed by citizen science: characterisation of marine debris, under development by the Reference Centre for the Quantification and Classification of Marine Debris (CeLMar - CNPq), a partner in this project. In addition, auditing of packaging brands found in sand, physical-chemical and biological analyses of seawater and sand, microbiological analysis (activities using microscopes, physical analyses - tidal movement), the possibility of energy generation (tidal power, functioning based on principles of physics and the impacts that this type of energy can have on the marine environment and human life), the influence of tides on the lives of people living in coastal areas, and direct observation and reflection on microplastics present on beaches and in the sea. EXPECTED RESULTS AND IMPACTSThe participating scholarship recipient will learn qualitative research methods (including collection, analysis, interpretation, and communication strategy). The aim is to acquire skills in topics such as climate justice, social technologies, child and youth engagement, internal and external communication of socio-environmental policies, among others. Experience participatory research strategies and practices and active teaching-learning methodologies relevant to the training of future education professionals. It is hoped that this proposal will, among other results, i. contribute to the diversification of the co-educa platform's content repository; ii. create support material for teachers in state schools in São Vicente; and iii. to a certain extent, contribute to the National Common Core Curriculum based on its competencies and skills by teaching stage and school year. It is also hoped that this research will become the embryo of social and participatory technology solutions for monitoring, preventing and recovering from climate disasters.