Therese Arvidsson

Do you consider our plastic consumption a big environmental threat?

Yes, it is insane what huge amount of plastic that we are surrounded by! A shopping trip to the supermarket and you get multiple kilos of plastic to sort. I think increased taxes for plastic bags is a positive initiative, for example, that stores started to charge for bags.

Do we educate teenagers enough regarding plastic and the consequences that it brings?

Teenagers today, is according to my perception very environmentally conscious but has their own opinions, just like everyone else, what I mean is that teenagers get involved in environmental issues in different ways and extent. But you could educate more regarding plastic and its consequences. The course-plan for grade- and secondary high school do contain these matters, but we could never mention it to many times.

How do you think when you teach about the problems that is caused by plastic?

At the moment I have not taught much regarding that specific problem, but my starting point during my classes is to base the assignments etc. to the student's interest and curiosity. That is when knowledge and experience get a hold of the student, from my perception. Regarding plastic, I have tried to actualize it by visible how much plastic that we have in our surroundings every day. Everything from larger plastic containers for food, plastic bags and microplastics in your shower gel or body scrub.

Do you have any advice for other teachers so they can make classes about plastic both interesting and effective?

I think it is more important for the students to participate in investigate deeper int the problem than just to listen to a teacher for a whole lesson. The teacher can lit the spark for interest but the students can look for knowledge. I think varied working strategies and assumning from current situations. Teens tend to live in the present, what is interesting is what is here and now. 

Sofie Kvist