At the “18th Klett Geography Symposium: Plastic Planet or Blue Planet – It's in Our Hands", Mandy Hinzmann presented the “Plastic Pirates – German Coast” project. Plastic Pirates is a citizen science project in which young people work in groups to investigate (plastic) waste pollution in waterways using a standardised scientific method.

The practice-based presentation first provided an overview of the Plastic Pirates' sampling method, opportunities for participation, and the target group. Next, data on plastic pollution along the Danube were presented that had been collected by pupils as part of the project. In addition, initial results from focus group discussions with pupils were presented, who had previously participated in samplings for the Plastic Pirates. 

The presentation was prepared in collaboration with a teacher from Lindenberg State Secondary School. She explained how the sampling activities were implemented at her school and gave a brief account of her experiences at the Plastic Pirates Conference in Brussels in 2024, which was attended by 12 schools from various European countries. 

The digital professional development event organised by Ernst Klett Verlag was primarily aimed at teachers. Its goal was to provide information on new scientific findings, teaching methods, and educational materials, while also fostering exchange between academic research and school practice. 195 people took part.

Other speakers at the online symposium included Prof. Dr. Stefan Krause from the University of Birmingham, Dr. Melanie Bergmann from the Alfred Wegener Institute, and Prof. Marko Beeken from the University of Osnabrück.