Micro Investigators

As part of the Microinvestigator programme, Te Anau School children had a unique opportunity to learn about microplastics and water quality. On Tuesday, 19 September 2023, the event took place at Jericho Stream in Blackmount, Te Anau, Southland. The event was organised by tutors from the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), led by Dr. Seethal Sivarajan , assisted by SIT Environmental Management students, Muhammad Fathur Rahman and Bethany Hughes, Several key organisations, including Environment Southland and the Department of Conservation, collaborated to make this educational attempt happen. The main purpose of this event was to monitor the concentration of microplastics in Jericho Stream and to educate school children. This marked the first time Jericho Stream had been subjected to such a comprehensive monitoring effort. The day was filled with enthusiasm and fun. The participants were greeted with perfect weather, supporting an ideal backdrop for the activities. They had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in water quality testing and microplastic analysis, gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving our waterways. The Microinvestigator Programme aims to raise environmental awareness among young people and empower them to become responsible caretakers of the environment. In the spirit of education and environmental conservation, the event at Jericho Stream was a tremendous success, with everyone leaving with new knowledge and a sense of achievement.

What is microplastics?

Millions of tones of plastic get into marine and terrestrial ecosystems every year, and the amount is likely to increase in the coming years. Over time, plastic materials can degrade into smaller pieces, known as microplastics. They can be the size of a grain of rice or be even smaller, making them easily ingested by sea animals. These very small pieces can take centuries or more to completely be removed.

SIT Microplastics Research hub members from left: Rani Fernandez, Karen Luttrell and Seethal Sivarajan.

Dr. Seethal Sivarajan, recently presented their ongoing microplastics research at the Freshwater Sciences 2023 Conference in Brisbane, Australia. The conference provided an opportunity for collaboration between freshwater science societies from North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
One of the distinguishing factors of the project is its incorporation of Māori cultural values, such as kaitiakitanga (stewardship) and tangata whenua (people of the land). This cultural aspect enhances the interaction with Māori students and promotes a two-way sharing of knowledge and experience through a tuakana-teina (older-younger) framework.
Dr. Sivarajan's presentation generated interest from an Australian school that is considering adopting some of the Micro-Investigators' methods. The project's data is accessible to anyone on their website, increasing visibility and potential uptake. The dissemination of information at conferences and other events is crucial in achieving these goals.
In addition to the conference presentation, the Micro-Investigators project has achieved several milestones this year, including a workshop at the New Zealand International Science Festival and participation in the Water Quality Day event. Expansion plans for the project involve securing funding (early 2024) for schools in five additional regions outside of Southland, where the project originated.

https://www.sit.ac.nz/News/ArtMID/6435/ArticleID/1446/Microplastics-Project-Presented-Internationally

How to avoid microplastics in our compost, check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_sQWPUeDyw&t=1570s

Webinar: Food scraps collection

Plastics, Love and National Parks
New Zealand’s most isolated national park is polluted with plastic trash.

👉 Check out the news here https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/131400830/how-our-love-affair-with-plastic-is-fouling-a-national-park

Such an amazing opportunity to be part of this summit to recognise the power of citizen science and the potential of young people!

Rani Fernandez from the Micro investigators team from the Southern Institute of Technology attended the Aotearoa New Zealand Sustainable Development Goals Summit 2023 hosted by The University of Waikato.

Hi Micro-friends😀
I hope you´re all having an awesome plastic free summer! Remember to have your reusable water bottle or cup with you🍶☕️
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Thanks for helping me to keep my home clean 😏

Atte. "Puffy"

Happy New Year! What can be better than start 2023 with great news! 🤓

*Kits help schoolkids become citizen scientists*
Dr Christine Liang and her team from the Southern Institute of Technology have begun rolling out a Microplastics Citizen Science Community Kits in Deep Cove in for the first time!!
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Check it out 👉https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/130011246/kits-help-schoolkids-become-citizen-scientists

The Regional Hui featuring Micro-Investigators was awesome! 🥳

Many thanks to all the people & schools that joined us from 3 catchments: Mataura, Oreti, Aparima/Waiau. Students learned about their catchment, the threat of , and explored the diversity & water quality of their local stream.

Amazing seeing the community brought together to share knowledge and pledge to fight microplastic pollution!

An interesting perspective to consider before 2022 ends. Could reducing waste be on our resolution list?

MAN Animation created in Flash and After Effects looking at mans relationship with the natural world.Music: In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Grieg."Hal...