Micro Hunters
Senica, Slovakia
3rd FUNDING CALL
Across Europe, students are stepping up to take on one of today’s most urgent environmental challenges: microplastic pollution. The Micro-Hunters project is a shining example of how schools can blend scientific inquiry, creativity, and civic responsibility to inspire meaningful change — and equip young people with the skills to protect our planet.
Set against the breathtaking natural backdrops of Záhorie Natural Reserve in Slovakia, and Triglav National Park and Škocjanski Zatok Natural Reserve in Slovenia, Micro-Hunters turns students into citizen scientists. With professional guidance and world-class educational tools, they are the first to measure microplastics in these regions, shining a light on a hidden pollutant that threatens freshwater ecosystems.
Objectives: Science Meets Sustainability
At its heart, Micro-Hunters aims to improve students’ understanding of water pollutants through hands-on engagement. Students not only collect data on microplastics in local water bodies, but also interpret and share it, learning vital lessons in environmental science, communication, and digital literacy.
Yet the project goes beyond the lab. It encourages students to express their learning through public awareness campaigns and art activities, deepening their connection to nature and their communities. By fostering cross-border partnerships and promoting the exchange of good practices, the project lays a strong foundation for long-term environmental stewardship.
Activities and Collaborations: A Whole-Ecosystem Approach
The project is powered by international collaboration, drawing on materials and support from Deakin University, the University of California Berkeley, Labter-CREA Mantova, and GLOBE Italy. These partnerships ensure that students are using scientific protocols and learning from global best practices.
Collecting and Sharing Data on Microplastics
Beginning with online training in February, students receive scientific materials and protocols to carry out microplastic sampling throughout the year. This empowers them to be the first in their regions to identify the presence of microplastics, using methods developed by experts. They share their findings via the GLOBE Programme, contributing to a growing global database.
Blue Design Challenge
Here, science meets art. Students channel their learning into designing roll-up posters for a riverbank clean-up campaign. These posters are entered into the annual Enviro-Design competition at Senica Art Gallery. The challenge not only builds creative and communication skills but also provides schools with powerful tools to promote water conservation locally.
Clean Banks Campaign
From March to December, students take their message to the public, organising riverbank clean-ups and sharing data they have collected. These events foster environmental responsibility and provide a platform for students to engage with the wider community. Participating schools are also encouraged to join the European Blue Schools Network (EBSN), expanding their impact across the continent.
Micro-Gamebook Challenge
In a clever blend of storytelling and digital literacy, students create interactive gamebooks based on items found during clean-ups. Through sessions in English and ICT classes, they explore the lifecycle of waste and the long-term consequences of pollution. Winning entries will be published on Spring Thing 2025, giving students a global platform for their ideas.
Microplastic Hunt – Lake Bohinj Meet-up
Culminating in a three-day event at Lake Bohinj, this activity brings together school teams for a professionally guided microplastic workshop, peer-to-peer sharing, and networking with local environmental agents. This immersive experience promotes the concept of a shared European approach to ocean and water protection.
Outputs and Impact: A Ripple Effect of Change
The project produces a range of tangible outputs, including:
- Scientific Data: Student-collected datasets on microplastic presence in freshwater bodies, uploaded to the GLOBE database.
- Creative Materials: Posters, interactive stories, and campaign visuals advocating for clean waterways.
- Public Engagement: Community clean-ups, exhibitions, and educational events that bring science into the public sphere.
- Long-Term Resources: Online training materials, protocols, and success stories that can inspire replication by other schools.
Perhaps most importantly, Micro-Hunters transforms students into environmental advocates. They gain not only scientific knowledge but also a sense of agency, creativity, and responsibility — qualities that will serve them and their communities for years to come.For schools looking to inspire their students and make a real impact, Micro-Hunters is more than a project — it is a movement.
Funded by the European Union