As part of their project work, Franz Langenhan and Johann Morgenroth (grade 10 students) investigated the effectiveness of various filter methods for cleaning drinking water of microplastic particles of different particle sizes. For this purpose, appropriate solutions of drinking water contaminated with microplastics were prepared, selected purification methods were carried out in the school laboratory and samples of the untreated and treated solutions were taken. Finally, the transmission was measured in the UV-VIS spectrometer at the Department of Electrochemistry and Electroplating at the Technical University of Ilmenau in order to be able to make statements about the degree of purity of the treated samples.
The Free Reform School "Franz von Assisi" is a state-approved elementary and regular school with a state-approved upper secondary school. The sponsor of the school is the school association "Franz von Assisi" Ilmenau e.V.. The school concept is based on the ideas and experiences of various reform educational traditions, all of which focus on the individual child and his or her needs. The educators see themselves as learning companions. They support, listen and help the student. The relationship is based on mutual respect and assumes that learning is always ongoing.
In the natural sciences, learners are encouraged to use teaching materials from physics, chemistry and biology labs for practical application of the knowledge they have acquired, as in this case on the topic of "The environmental problem of microplastics - effects and filter methods for water treatment."
Source: Michael Großherr, Free Reform School "Franz von Assisi" Ilmenau