Date of Completion
11-2025
Degree Type
Campus Access Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Education (MEd)
First Advisor
Carol Ann Sharicz
Abstract
This project developed a curriculum framework for a new microcredential course on plastic pollution in green infrastructure (GI), created through a collaboration between the University of Massachusetts Boston’s School for the Environment and the Urban Harbors Institute. The course is part of the UMass Boston Grand Scholarly Challenges project, Evaluating the Ability of Nature-Based Solutions to Improve Stormwater Quality with Regards to Plastic Pollution and Develop Education for Effective Green Infrastructure Management.
Green infrastructure uses natural systems—such as rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavements—to manage storm water, reduce flooding, and improve water quality. Recent research shows that these systems can also trap and filter microplastics, but there is limited understanding of how effectively they do so or how maintenance practices affect performance. Addressing this knowledge gap, the proposed microcredential will enhance knowledge of plastic pollution in GI and train a skilled workforce to maintain GI systems to ensure their effectiveness for keeping Boston’s waterways cleaner and communities more resilient.
The curriculum was developed using the ADDIE instructional design model and informed by peer-reviewed research, professional handbooks, and interviews with experts in green infrastructure education and employers who manage GI systems in Boston. The research identified a key gap in available training—most programs focus on design or construction rather than long-term maintenance and pollution management, particularly in the entry-level workforce.
The resulting curriculum framework introduces a pilot module titled Green Infrastructure Plastic Pollution Management. It integrates Boston-specific materials from organizations such as the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission.
Designed for entry-level workers, experienced landscapers wanting to advance their career in the green industry, and underemployed residents, this program blends online learning with field-based experiences, community engagement, and practical skill-building. By aligning environmental research with workforce development, this curriculum provides a replicable model that supports Boston’s climate goals, promotes local job creation, and advances environmental justice through accessible, applied education.
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Nicole Renée, "Plastic Pollution in Green Infrastructure: A Curriculum Framework" (2025). Instructional Design Capstones Collection. 92.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/instruction_capstone/92
Comments
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