EAGER: PPER: Microplastic AWARENESS Program: Amplifying Water-quality Analysis Research Experiences for Northwest Indiana Educators, Students and Society

微塑料是环境中的小塑料颗粒（直径小于5毫米），它们可以来自各种来源。 该研究项目旨在利用当地中学的公民科学家收集微塑料污染的数据，并将其检测纳入水质监测。项目研究人员将与本科科学教育研究生、当地教师和学生（公民科学家）一起进行水质研究方面的培训和合作，研究密歇根湖流域的微塑料污染。公民科学家将接受培训，以1）进行传统的水质监测程序，2）量化和研究微塑料污染物的运输和命运，3）确定流域中常见大型无脊椎动物消耗的微塑料材料的程度。这种大型数据集可以使用公民科学家有效地进行汇编，对于微塑料污染缓解战略也是必要的。微塑料污染是由许多来源产生的，被定义为直径小于5毫米的塑料废物。由于这些塑料材料的丰富性、持久性和流动性，这种污染被认为是全球性的威胁。虽然已经对海洋环境中的微塑料污染进行了许多研究，但最近的科学报告得出结论，需要进行更多的研究，特别是在淡水生态系统中。该项目的研究人员正在扩大传统的水质监测，通过制定公民科学计划来量化和分析当地密歇根湖流域的微塑料污染。该研究包括调查当地源头河流中常见的大型无脊椎动物对微塑料的吸收程度以及对这些生物的可能影响。目前还不清楚微塑料污染对生物和人类的全部影响，需要进行更多的研究来解决这些污染物的许多未知方面。该项目包括培训当地公立中学的公民科学家。该项目还为社区提供了参与有关淡水系统当前压力的批判性研究的机会。理科本科生参与多学科研究，作为教师教育准备的一部分，他们正在接受中学公民科学家的教学研究方法的挑战。

Microplastics are small plastic particles (less than 5 millimeters in diameter) in the environment, and they can come from a variety of sources. This research project is designed to utilize citizen scientists from a local middle school to collect data on microplastic pollution and integrate its detection into water quality monitoring. Project researchers will train and work with undergraduate science education research students, local teachers, and students (citizen scientists) in water quality research to study microplastic pollution in the Lake Michigan watershed. Citizen scientists will be trained to 1) conduct traditional water quality monitoring procedures, 2) quantify and study the transport and fate of microplastic pollutants and 3) determine the extent of microplastic materials consumed by common macroinvertebrates in the watershed. This large data set collection, which can be compiled effectively using citizen scientists, is also necessary for microplastic pollution mitigation strategies. Microplastic pollution is created from a number of sources and is defined as plastic waste materials less than 5 millimeters in diameter. This pollution is considered a threat on a global level due to the abundance, persistence and mobility of these plastic materials. While many studies have been performed on microplastic pollution have in the marine environment, recent scientific reports conclude that more research is necessary, especially in freshwater ecosystems. The project researchers are expanding upon traditional water quality monitoring by quantifying and analyzing the microplastic pollution in the local Lake Michigan watershed through the development of a citizen science program. The research includes investigations on the degree of uptake of microplastics by common macroinvertebrates in local headwater streams and the probable effects on these organisms. The full extent of microplastic pollution on organisms and humans is not yet known and additional research is required to address many unknown aspects of these pollutants. The project includes training of citizen scientists from a local public middle school. The project also provides an opportunity for the community to take part in critical research on current stresses to freshwater systems. Undergraduate science major students are taking part in the multi-disciplinary research and are being challenged with teaching research methods to the middle school citizen scientists as part of their teacher education preparation.