Da universidade para as escolas: produção de material para divulgação científica sobre o microplástico

Abstract

Plastic pollution, especially from microplastics, has become one of the most significant environmental challenges today and highlights the search for strategies that bring science closer to society. However, most scientific dissemination materials prioritize results, and little is found about how scientific knowledge is produced, which hampers critical understanding and favors the spread of misinformation. In this context, the present study aims to develop scientific dissemination materials on microplastics that not only present the environmental impacts of this pollutant but also integrate elements of the scientific production process. For this purpose, bibliographic research was carried out to identify materials that articulated scientific dissemination, knowledge production, and the theme of plastics. Although several materials presented updated information about microplastics, no materials were found that described how studies are conducted within universities, revealing an essential gap in scientific communication. Based on this, four scientific dissemination materials were produced: two folders and two videos, all with accessible language, visual resources, and QR codes, to promote integration of the content. In the materials, the aim was to bring the reader closer to scientific work in laboratories while also explaining how research is conceived, funded, conducted, and translated into articles, reports, and publications. In addition, topics such as the origin and types of plastics, the formation of microplastics and nanoplastics, and the environmental and social impacts of plastics were addressed. Thus, the materials produced aim to foster scientific literacy, stimulate critical thinking, and support understanding of both the ecological problem and the processes underlying each research study.