Together with our long-standing cooperation partner, the German European School Manila, we were delighted to participate in a pilot microplastics workshop for primary school children on November 7th 2023.

The visit took place at the CCP terminal, where the Circular Explorer was integrated into two test stations. These stations offered various scientific activities and dealt in particular with the causes and effects of environmental pollution caused by microplastics.

The children were on board the Circular Explorer to take water samples. They collected water samples by throwing buckets attached to a rope overboard and pulling them up again. They then built a water filter filled with stones, gravel, cotton and a microfilter to observe changes in the water after filtration. The filtered water was examined under a microscope to determine the size of the microplastics.

At the second station of the Circular Explorer, the children wore gloves and tried to sort marine litter by type. They learned that different types of plastic can be found in waste.

While they were on board, they collected plastic bottles and straws from the garbage and discussed them. Whenever they found an action figure, a toy or a lipstick in the garbage, they exchanged happy glances with each other.

The day ended after the final experiments, which showed how widespread microplastics are in everyday life, as cosmetics and our own clothes fell under the lens of the microscope.

Overall, this first learning experience was a great exercise and hands-on activity to show the children that cleaning up the environment can be both fun and educational. Despite the long day and the heat, the children still had the energy to say a heartfelt goodbye and thank the camera and crew for making such a wonderful day possible.

We sincerely thank all the children and our partners from the German European School Manila and hope that we can repeat this great activity!