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MICROPLASTICS COMMUNITY SCIENCE TOOLKIT

The resources, tools and technology you need to help protect the planet from microplastic pollution.

Our tools. YOUR power to make a difference. Together, WE create change.

Why Microplastics?

Microplastics (pieces of plastic less than 5 mm in size) have been found in all of Earth’s environments, our food, water, air and even our bodies. While cleaning up plastic pollution is important, we must stop it  from entering the environment in the first place. ​

 

To drive solutions, decision makers need more data than global scientists alone can provide.

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WE ALL have the power to protect our planet from microplastic pollution

Community Science and Educational Microplastics Resources for Teachers Social 2

Who Are Community Scientists?

Community Scientists (citizen scientists) are students, community members, beach cleanup volunteers and ocean enthusiasts who are passionate about protecting the planet from microplastic pollution. 

 

Using Ocean Diagnostics' Microplastics Community Science Toolkit, they collect and analyze microplastic data from their local sandy beaches to help fill data gaps that identify and address solutions for their community while helping to populate a global database.

WHAT'S IN THE TOOLKIT?

Collect the microplastic pollution data needed to inform local and global solutions

DIGITAL RESOURCES

  • Illustrated learning materials about microplastic pollution and community science 

  • Microplastics sandy beach sampling protocol 

  • Data evaluation guide to identify the types of microplastics to better understand your community's litter sources 

  • Communication and advocacy tools to address solutions

TECHNOLOGY & TOOLS

  • 2 sieves (for the beach sampling) 

  • 1 Saturna Imaging System: the first-of-its-kind technology that uses machine learning to count and characterize the physical properties of visible microplastics from sandy beach samples 

  • Access to the Mariana: a global open-access and collaborative microplastics database that provides heat maps and data visualizations to inform on hot spot locations and priorities for action

HOW IT WORKS

Microplastics Community Science Toolkit

1. Order your Toolkit to receive all the resources, tools and technology you need to run a community science microplastic project.

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2. Read the included illustrated information to learn about microplastics, where they come from and their environmental impacts. 

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3. Follow the sandy beach sampling protocol to collect microplastics from your local sandy beach.

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4. Image and upload your data using the Saturna Imaging System and help to populate the global database.

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5. Follow the Data Evaluation Guide to identify trends and sources of microplastics in your community and solutions. 

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6. Use the advocacy and engagement tools to use the data to inform decision making and change. 

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THE TECHNOLOGY

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The Saturna Imaging System

The Toolkit includes first-of-its-kind AI-based imaging technology to  provide size, shape, colour and abundance data on the microplastics you collect during your beach surveys. This data, along with microplastic types, helps to uncover where the microplastics came from, how they move through the environment, which species may be affected and more. ​

 

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The Mariana Data Portal

 Mariana is an open-access database that hosts the data and provides heat maps and data visualization tools to inform on location of hot spots and priorities for action.​

​Used together, Saturna and Mariana empower Community Scientists to fill global microplastic data gaps and contribute to meaningful solutions to stop plastic pollution at the source.

TOOLKIT USES

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MEASURE MICROPLASTICS AND CONTRIBUTE THE DATA TO A GLOBAL DATABASE

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MONITOR MICROPLASTICS IN YOUR COMMUNITY TO INFORM LOCAL RESEARCH AND SOLUTIONS

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TEST FOR THE PRESENCE OF MICROPLASTICS AT YOUR FAVOURITE BEACHES AND LEARN ABOUT SOLUTIONS

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TEST FOR THE PRESENCE OF MICROPLASTICS AT YOUR FAVOURITE BEACHES AND LEARN ABOUT SOLUTIONS

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Help to fill the global data gaps by conducting Microplastics Community Science project in your town!

Read the Case Studies!

Brooke Community Science
Community Scientists in British Columbia generate the largest microplastics database in the region with the Community Science Toolkit
Read >
North Coast Community Science
Prince Rupert community scientists use the Toolkit to link microplastic pollution to seasonal changes influenced by industry-related activities
Read >
qathet Community Science
qathet region Community Scientists used the Kit to identify sources of local microplastic pollution to add data to shoreline cleanups
Read >
Helen Wong Community Science
Post-secondary student uses Community Toolkit for Honours Thesis Project
Read >
Testimonials
Citizen Science Youth Ambassador

Liam Pope-Lau

"Collecting data that can be used for advancing environmental policy is an exciting way to do real science, and make everyone feel a part of it."

Citizen Science Youth Ambassador 2

Taya Holmes

"I enjoyed being able to get involved within my community and gain a deeper understanding of what’s happening to local beaches."

Get Started!
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Microplastics Community Science Toolkit:

$997.00

The Toolkit includes all resources, tools, technology, instructions and training videos needed for community groups to conduct a microplastics projects in their community. Learn about microplastics, sample and analyze data to identify sources and solutions for local microplastic pollution while contributing to a global database.

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Don't have access to a sandy beach?

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