In 11 interactive sessions, about 240 students in Trieste (Italy) engaged with the science of micro- and nanoplastics, the aims of the Imptox project, and their own role as informed citizens.

How do you bring cutting-edge science into a middle school classroom - and make it resonate? At Lionello Stock Middle School in Trieste (Istituto Comprensivo Ai Campi Elisi), this question was explored in depth through a workshop delivered 11 times, reaching a total of approximately 240 students aged 10 to 14. Organised by Imptox partner Promoscience and led by science communicator Sabine Kienzl, the sessions offered a thoughtful, interactive journey into one of today’s most complex environmental and public health challenges: the spread of micro- and nanoplastics.

The workshops - taking place throughout March and April 2025 - combined clear scientific explanations with open dialogue. Students learned what micro- and nanoplastics are, how they form, where they have been found - from oceans to human lungs- and why their impact on health is still unclear. They were introduced to the Imptox project and the role European researchers play in developing methods to detect, analyse, and ultimately understand these minuscule particles. Crucially, the sessions also addressed how science itself works - why uncertainty is part of the process, and why sustained research matters.

Throughout, students were not passive listeners. Using Mentimeter polls and open-ended questions, they shared their perspectives and concerns. Towards the end of each session, they were asked: If you were a European policymaker, what would you do about micro- and nanoplastics? Their responses reflected both pragmatic thinking and imaginative leaps. Ideas ranged from stricter recycling policies and increased research funding to international summits, biodegradable plastic materials that turn into fertilizer, and AI-enhanced smart bins that guide recycling decisions. Some ideas were idealistic, others highly feasible - but all expressed a clear sense of agency and creativity.

To reinforce key messages, students played Microplastics Madness: Catching PlastikPunk, an educational videogame developed by Promoscience. Guiding the character Nanoninja in pursuit of the elusive PlastikPunk, players reinforced what they had learned during the workshop while also being introduced to the logic of coding - learning how to think like a machine, one decision at a time. The game will also be presented at the Educating the Educators conference on STEM innovation, taking place on May 8–9 in Limassol, Cyprus.

Each workshop ended with a collective reflection: how did a material once hailed as a miracle of modernity become a global concern? And as new materials and technologies emerge, will we be more prepared to foresee their unintended consequences? The conversation turned toward consumer responsibility - not just in daily choices, but in cultivating awareness of how those choices fit into larger systems.

The workshops were not only about plastics. They were about becoming more conscious citizens - curious, critical, and capable of asking the right questions. That, perhaps, is the most important step toward any solution.

A warm thank you goes to the teachers, staff and especially the students of the Lionello Stock Middle School, whose openness and collaboration made these discussions possible.