The Plastic Pirates Plus project focuses on where participation in education needs to be particularly promoted: in school classes with a higher proportion of pupils from socially disadvantaged households. The aim is to give these young people access to the world of science through a low-threshold, practical programme – regardless of their financial or social circumstances. Participation in the project is free of charge and thus deliberately designed so that no child is excluded.

Hands-on science

As part of the project, pupils take on the role of researchers and investigate plastic litter pollution during an excursion to the Baltic Sea coast. Using scientific methods, the waste is mapped, classified and analysed for possible sources of origin. In this way, the young people learn how research works in practice and at the same time strengthen their environmental awareness and their ability to critically analyse socially relevant topics.

Closing the regional gap

Although Plastic Pirates has reached over 1,400 school classes (as of May 2024) in Germany since 2016, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has hardly been represented so far - especially in regional and comprehensive schools. The project aims to close this gap. Three selected school classes from coastal regions will receive dedicated support in the 2024/25 school year – with individual support for teachers, free teaching materials and organisational assistance in planning and carrying out the excursion.

Promoting reflection, strengthening participation

A central element of the project is the joint evaluation of the collected data in moderated group discussions. Here, the pupils not only reflect on their findings, but also discuss their own impressions, regional effects and possible solutions. This creates space for political thinking and social participation – skills that are essential for democratic coexistence, especially in a social climate of increasing polarisation.

Contribution to research and educational equity

The data collected by the school classes will be incorporated into the ongoing Plastic Pirates scientific study. They are uploaded to a central web platform and then analysed by scientists from the Kiel Science Outreach Lab (Kieler Forschungswerkstatt) and the Ecologic Institute. At the same time, the project strengthens the educational and scientific participation of young people, who are often confronted with particular challenges in their everyday lives. Plastic Pirates Plus is therefore more than just an environmental project: it combines ecological education with social responsibility – and sets an example for equal opportunities in science communication. The project is sponsored by the German Postcode Lottery, which is committed to social justice and environmental protection.