PlasticHealers is an interactive digital tool designed to bring current scientific research into primary and secondary school classrooms. Based on the results of the PlasticHeal project, it introduces students to the presence and potential health effects of micro- and nanoplastics in a manner that is both simple and engaging, while remaining scientifically rigorous.
The group has brought cutting-edge research closer to primary school students. During the pilot study at the Ramon Llull public school in Barcelona, 75 sixth-grade students participated in four sessions and were in direct contact with researchers from the group, including the project’s principal investigator.
The students worked with one of the three sources of micro- and nanoplastics, and in the final session, they all come together to discuss their findings and suggestions with the researchers. At school, they were already learning about the Sustainable Development Goals and discussing how governments respond to environmental challenges. This tool helped them connect scientific evidence to real-world decision-making.
The visit was repeated at the same center the following academic year, after the material had been reviewed.
The interactive resource, along with the classroom worksheets and the replication guide, can be found on the PlasticHealers website, available in English, Spanish and Catalan.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, we will bring this experience to more schools in Barcelona through the “Schools in Action for Environmental Health” project, with the support of Barcelona City Council.
