As part of its commitment to promoting Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) beyond the scientific community, the SSbD4CheM project recently contributed to an outreach activity aimed at inspiring younger generations.

Milica Velimirovic (VITO) organised an interactive workshop on microplastics at a primary school in Mol, Belgium, with a group of 41 kids and 2 teachers. The activity connected scientific research with accessible learning, introducing children to a topic that is increasingly relevant for environmental and human health.

The session combined scientific explanation with hands-on experience, allowing children to explore the topic in an engaging and practical way. It included:

• A short introduction to the “world of microplastics” 
• Interactive experiments, including microscopy observations to make the invisible visible
• A fun quiz to reinforce key learnings

The workshop highlighted how research conducted within SSbD4CheM and other projects VITO is involved (InPlasTwin, REMEDIES, Upstream) contributes to understanding and addressing challenges related to chemical safety and sustainability, including emerging concerns such as microplastics.

Beyond advancing scientific knowledge, SSbD4CheM is committed to raising awareness and fostering dialogue with society. Activities like this play a key role in building early awareness and encouraging curiosity among young people. By bringing science into the classroom, the project helps empower future generations to better understand environmental challenges and contribute to developing sustainable solutions.