Micro Investigators

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

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.

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...