Work

Assessing Changes in Awareness and Behavior toward Single-Use Plastic Reduction among High School Students through ArcGIS StoryMap–Based Environmental Education

Year: 2026

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Single-use plastics (SUPs) pose serious environmental and public health challenges, particularly in urban and school environments. This study examines how the integration of digital geospatial tools, notably ArcGIS-based StoryMaps and interactive dashboards, can enhance awareness and influence SUP-related behaviors among high school students. Conducted as a pilot at the High School for Gifted Students, Hue University of Sciences, the intervention combined baseline and post-intervention surveys, participatory mapping of plastic waste hotspots, and the implementation of a school-based waste sorting system. Changes in students’ knowledge, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and behaviors were examined using a repeated cross-sectional design, non-parametric pre–post comparisons, and post-intervention correlation analysis, grounded in the Knowledge–Attitude–Practice model and the Theory of Planned Behavior. The results indicate statistically significant improvements in key awareness indicators and modest but meaningful shifts in selected SUP-related behaviors, particularly in usage frequency and disposal practices. Post-intervention correlation patterns further suggest that attitudinal factors were more strongly associated with pro-environmental behaviors than knowledge alone, consistent with TPB assumptions. By combining spatial storytelling, interactive surveys, and dashboards, the intervention fostered higher student engagement and participation within the school community. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of GIS-based educational approaches to support sustainability-oriented learning and digital transformation in environmental education contexts in Vietnam.

Source: IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science

DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/1633/1/012020

Authors: Do Thi Viet Huong, Nguyen Quang Viet, Nguyen Phuong Nghi, Nguyen Thi Thanh Ninh

Institution: Hue University

Language: English

Topic: Pro-Environmental Behavior and Attitudes

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Quality education, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Đại học Huế