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There are many environmental issues surrounding the global production and use of plastics. Three science curricula (Grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8) were developed to introduce youth to the past, present, and future of plastics. Designed using research-based methods and grounded in effective science pedagogy, the curricula provide young people opportunities to explore viable alternatives to plastics and develop knowledge and skills necessary to help mitigate environmental impacts associated with the production, use and disposal of plastics. Evaluation results demonstrated that youth improved their understanding of polymers and intention to help reduce impacts of plastics on the environment.
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Toward a circular economy for plastics
Reversing the extraordinary growth in the production and accumulation of primary plastics in the environment will require collaboration across research disciplines and scales—from the chemical building blocks to product life cycles, producer and consumer incentives, and waste management. After a recent Cell Press LabLinks symposium on the topic, this Voices asks the event participants: what are the major research priorities for moving toward a circular economy for plastics?
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- Award ID(s):
- 1552825
- PAR ID:
- 10463498
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- One earth
- Volume:
- 4
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 2590-3330
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 591
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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