Original Educational Materials to be Used in Shiga Prefecture Education! 'Microplastic Survey Learning Kit' Donated to the Prefectural General Education Center

The Sea and Japan Project in Shiga Prefecture (General Incorporated Association) donated the 'Microplastic Survey Learning Kit' to the Shiga Prefectural General Education Center on Friday, March 27. This kit is designed for lessons where children extract and observe microplastics from sand collected on the shores of Lake Biwa, aiming to help them perceive the marine plastic waste problem as their own issue. The kit is intended for upper-grade elementary school students and includes instructor guidelines, necessary equipment, and supplementary materials. This initiative is part of the 'Sea and Japan Project: CHANGE FOR THE BLUE,' a marine waste countermeasure project promoted by The Nippon Foundation, and is conducted in cooperation with the Shiga Local SDGs Research Group to encourage thinking about global ocean issues through the familiar environment of Lake Biwa. The Shiga Prefectural General Education Center, which provides training for teachers, will use these materials to raise awareness about plastic waste issues and facilitate classroom learning. The Director of the Center commented, 'Marine plastic waste is an important theme for a sustainable society. We hope to use these materials to foster an attitude where children think about environmental issues and act proactively.' The kit includes guidelines for 40 students, and materials are available for download at https://www.sl2biwako.net/mp-lesson.