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PARTICIPATORY SCIENCE PLATFORM OTAGO REGION 2020 UPDATE
INTRODUCTION
Science and mātauraka Māori have major roles to play in helping society address the many
local and global issues that we face. Having an understanding of mātauraka Māori, science and
technology is critical not just for enhancing living standards, but also to make informed decisions
on policy, business and society. The 2014 strategy, A Nation of Curious Minds – He Whenua
Hihiri I Te Mahara, outlined actions to address the government’s objective of enabling better
public engagement with science and technology nationally. One of these was to develop and
implement a platform that helped communities engage in locally relevant scientific research.
In 2015 the Participatory Science Platform was established in three areas – South Auckland,
Taranaki and Otago.
The goal of the Participatory Science Platform (PSP) is to provide funding and support so that
community-based organisations can investigate scientific questions that they want answered.
Projects must resonate with the community, have scientific value and educational rigour, and the
community should be involved meaningfully in the research process.
The Otago PSP is jointly managed by Otago Science into Action, a partnership between the
University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic, the New Zealand International Science Festival,
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Otago Museum.
In PSP projects, communities and experts work together towards a common goal, with an
emphasis on collaboration and providing educational opportunities for all involved. Otago
PSP projects have strengthened links between schools, local community groups, experts and
scientists. They have increased community science capability and confidence; contributed novel
scientific knowledge in many different areas; and delivered tangible outcomes and change within
communities and even nationally.
This booklet profiles the projects that were active in 2019, and introduces the recently funded
2020 projects. COVID-19 related restrictions caused disruption to some of the project activities,
but in testament to the commitment of the teams and their communities, they are all determined
to complete their projects.
CONTENTS
Introduction 2 Ecosystem Restoration 11
Criteria 3 Source to Sea 12
Shark Spy – Monitoring Otago Sharks 13
Otago Participatory Science Platform 4-5
Examining Stream Health in South West Otago 14
Ko Te Kawakawa me kā Kaikawakawa 6 Ka Hao te Rakatahi 15
Nebulised Antibiotics – Residue and Resistance 7
Projects funded in 2020 16-17
Healthy Air for Healthy Lives 8
2020 vision for school children by 2020 9 Previous Otago PSP Projects 18
Catlins’ Bats on the Map 10
CRITERIA
PARTICIPATORY SCIENCE PROJECTS MUST BE:
EDUCATIONALLY LOCALLY SCIENTIFICALLY
VALUABLE RELEVANT ROBUST
The project will offer The project will involve The project will tackle
enduring educational community members in a substantive scientific
value and two-way research that is locally question in active
learning opportunities relevant, and driven, or partnership with a scientist
for those involved. supported by, community- or technology expert.
based champions.
For further details visit www.scienceintoaction.nz or contact the Otago PSP coordinator:
Dr Claire Concannon, Otago Museum
Claire.concannon@otagomuseum.nz
027 3958914
(03) 4747474 ext 832
3
OTAGO PARTICIPATORY
SCIENCE PLATFORM
AT A GLANCE – SINCE 2015
14,300 PEOPLE ENGAGED IN
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
> 65 SCHOOLS ACROSS OTAGO
INVOLVED IN LOCAL RESEARCH
21 STEM DISCIPLINES INVESTIGATED
4
QUEENSTOWN LAKES
| 7 PROJECTS
CENTRAL OTAGO
| 4 PROJECTS
WAITAKI
| 2 PROJECTS
OTAGO WIDE
| 3 PROJECTS
DUNEDIN
| 24 PROJECTS
CLUTHA
| 3 PROJECTS
OTAGO COAST LINE
| 3 PROJECTS
$852,441 DISTRIBUTED IN OTAGO
46 22
FULL PROJECTS FUNDED SEED PROJECTS FUNDED
5
KO TE KAWAKAWA ME KĀ KAIKAWAKAWA
Students investigate the traditional uses and methods of preparation of kawakawa in
Rongoā Māori and whether kaikawakawa moth herbivory affects the efficacy of kawakawa.
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti and Dr Barbara Anderson.
Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) is an the wider whānau as koha in order to increase
important medicinal plant in traditional Rongoā the engagement and excitement within the
Māori. Mātauraka Māori suggests that the local community.
potency of the kawakawa leaves increases
with the amount of browsing (herbivory) from The group have also become familiar with how
kaikawakawa (Cleora scriptaria, the kawakawa to design good experiments, with appropriate
looper moth). controls. They have also increased their
knowledge of the biology and ecology of
While the kawakawa plant grows around kawakawa and the moth life cycles.
Dunedin in frost-free warm microclimates,
the kaikawakawa moth does not reach this far While this project has been delayed due to
south, leaving the local kawakawa leaves largely COVID19, the students are progressing in the
uneaten. Students from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori next phase to collate more local knowledge
o Ōtepoti are testing if kaikawakawa herbivory around traditional kawakawa uses and
has a direct effect on the medicinal properties preparation by conducting konohi a konohi
of the kawakawa leaf. (face-to-face) interviews with kaumātua, whānau
and iwi individuals, as well as running online
Students completed a literature and internet- community surveys.
based investigation of traditional and current
uses of kawakawa. They familiarised themselves Alongside this they are setting up their
with basic preparation methods for different experiment using kawakawa plants from
kawakawa uses and engaged the wider whānau different areas (North Island versus Dunedin
in this process by sourcing kawakawa and based), with and without the kaikawakawa,
trying out different preparation methods. They to test how kawakawa medicinal potency is
distributed the products of these trials amongst affected by kaikawakawa herbivory.
6
NEBULISED ANTIBIOTICS – RESIDUE AND RESISTANCE
Assessing the risks associated with disposal of antibiotic residue from nebulisers used
by the cystic fibrosis community.
Cystic Fibrosis Otago, Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand, and the School of Pharmacy and
the Department of Preventative and Social Medicine, University of Otago.
Antibiotic resistance is a serious and growing In Phase 1 of this project, the team used
health problem around the world. If bacteria regional and national surveys of people with
are exposed to antibiotics, but not killed, they cystic fibrosis to identify the most commonly
can mutate into antibiotic-resistant bacteria. used nebulisers and antibiotics, and how people
Infections caused by these bacteria are much washed and disposed of antibiotic residue from
harder to treat and can result in long stays in their nebulisers.
hospital and increased mortality.
They also developed an assay that could
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) often use detect residual levels of tobramycin (the most
antibiotics inhaled through a nebuliser to prevent commonly used antibiotic by Otago-based
and treat bacterial lung infections. There is people with cystic fibrosis) in wash buckets
concern amongst the CF community that rinsing following cleaning of the nebuliser system.
residual antibiotic solution from nebulisers down
the sink or into rubbish bins may lead to pockets For Phase 2 of this project, taking place
of antibiotic resistance in the local environment. during 2020 and 2021, the wider cystic fibrosis
As the use of inhaled antibiotics is a mainstay community, and the scientists involved, are
of CF respiratory infection management, the co-developing a practical nebuliser cleaning
establishment of antibiotic resistance would have strategy that will help reduce the risk of
serious consequences for the CF community. promoting antimicrobial resistance.
In this project, Cystic Fibrosis Otago are The team will then share the results and strategy
working with University of Otago researchers to nationally, to help build awareness around the
investigate how people with CF are rinsing and importance of preventing antibiotic resistance.
cleaning antibiotic residue from their
nebulisers, and how this might be impacting
antibiotic resistance.
7
HEALTHY AIR FOR HEALTHY LIVES
Photonics-based air quality sensors are being used by schools to perform investigations on
particulate pollution.
The Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonics and Quantum Technologies, the Department of Physics,
University of Otago, Enviroschools, Southern Photonics Limited, and schools around Otago.
Air pollution is the largest direct environmental The project has established a website database
cause of death in the world. The Healthy Air where community data can be stored and shared.
for Healthy Lives project aims to produce a
comprehensive map of particulate air pollution Students are benefiting from learning about the
for Dunedin and the wider Otago region. impacts of atmospheric pollution, investigating
In doing so it will also educate students and aspects of human geography, and being
the community regarding the importance and introduced to technology, such as the photonics
dangers of air pollution, and provide evidence in these sensors.
for the need to improve air quality for
this community. The monitors are now being used by different
schools and community groups across Otago who
The project is a partnership with local will continue to gather data throughout 2020.
community groups and schools, coordinated by
the Dodd-Walls Centre and the Department of
Physics at the University of Otago. “[Our community] can collect their
The team have distributed cheap, easy to
own data around their schools or
make and use, optical particulate sensors that around their homes. The idea is to
monitor atmospheric pollution to a number of provide a comprehensive map of air
schools and community groups in Dunedin and quality and pollution in Dunedin and
the wider Otago region. Having a network of
monitoring sites is allowing the development of further afield.”
a full picture of particulate air pollution (size and
distribution) in this region. The goal is to create – Dodd-Walls Centre director,
a map of the worst and least affected areas and
show how these change over time.
Prof. David Hutchinson.
8
2020 VISION FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN BY 2020
Developed a peer vision screening tool to use in classrooms and investigated barriers
to accessing and using glasses.
Tahuna Normal Intermediate School with scientists from the School of Occupational
Therapy, Otago Polytechnic.
Visual deficits can have a negative impact on The tool was validated by testing a sample of
a range of learning outcomes, including poor students with a gold standard vision screener.
grades, disruptive classroom behaviour, and
even disengaging completely from school. Students’ peer screening identified some
Academic achievement is one of the most classmates with vision difficulties, who were
powerful predictors of lifelong health, so directed to visit an optometrist, as well as
addressing factors that contribute to poor identifying some students with glasses who
school performance, such as accessing and were reluctant to wear them. This resulted
using corrective lenses, is critical. in vision correction for some of the students.
The success of the project indicates this peer
In the ‘Vision 2020’ project, teachers and screening tool could be used more widely
students at Tahuna Normal Intermediate throughout New Zealand schools to support
School worked with scientists from the School or supplement free nationwide testing
of Occupational Therapy at Otago Polytechnic provided by the Ministry of Health.
to develop a screening tool – a flipchart – that
can be used in classrooms, where students The next phase of the project involves
can check each other’s vision. The idea for the students, teachers, and scientists
the programme is to make visual screening collaborating to develop a vision screening
accessible to more people to identify and module which integrates vision science into
correct deficits before they impact negatively schoolwork. The team will also continue
on education or health outcomes. investigations to discover what encourages
or discourages, assists or hinders, families
The students designed the screening tool taking the necessary next steps (such as an
to ensure it was easy to use by other young optometrist visit, and getting and wearing
people. They learned about tool design, the glasses) once a vision impairment is identified.
science of eyesight, and statistical validity.
9
CATLINS’ BATS ON THE MAP
Research populations of long-tailed bats in the Catlins to understand their
ecosystem needs.
Catlins Bat Project, Tahakopa School, Catlins Area School, Earthlore Wildlife Gardens,
Forest and Bird South Otago, and the Department of Conservation.
The Catlins has a significant area of native forest and bat expert Ian Davidson-Watts gathered
that supports a number of endangered species, for an overnight camp where they set up bat
including New Zealand’s endemic long-tailed catching harp traps. Staff from Owaka’s Earthlore
bats. Very little is known about the population, Wildlife Gardens also ran sessions on trapping
ecology, distribution and behaviour of these moths, which provided more information on
bats. While some local residents are involved the food needs of this taoka species. Students,
in annual bat surveys and advocacy, where the families and volunteers further helped to track
local bat populations roost and what habitats and record bat appearances during evening
they prefer is not well known. monitoring outings across spring and summer of
2019 – 2020. The data collected has been shared
Catlins’ Bats on the Map, led by the Catlins with other schools around New Zealand also
Bat Project, is bringing students and families studying the species, and at the seventh National
from Tahakopa and Catlins Area schools, local Bat Conference in Te Anau.
landowners, and local community volunteers
together to address this knowledge gap by The project will continue to collect more
surveying for long-tailed bats. data across spring and summer 2020 – 2021,
culminating in an exhibition of findings in the
Weekly school visits introduced the students Owaka Museum. Having more knowledge about
to basic bat ecology, how bats are monitored, bat numbers and their preferred habitats will
how to use the monitoring equipment to survey help conservation initiatives to protect this very
for bats, and how to listen to and analyse ‘bat special species.
chatter’. A project highlight to date was ‘bat
camp’. Students, their parents, bat volunteers,
10ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION
Primary school students are monitoring vegetation change over time and removing
invasive wilding conifers from the local ecosystem.
Queenstown Primary School, Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Department of
Conservation, Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group, and Enviroschools.
A ‘wilding conifer’ is the term for a number of As part of this project, students are learning
species of introduced conifers that are self- how to scientifically photograph, record and
spreading across the countryside, threatening evaluate site data using the photographic
local glacial landscapes and native plant point procedure. They have also successfully
biodiversity in the Otago region, and more removed a large number of conifers from the
broadly, across Aotearoa New Zealand. sites, and cleared debris from around native
plants that had already been planted by
Queenstown Primary School are leading this previous school groups.
project to combat the negative impacts of
wilding conifers in their local region and to The students are gaining knowledge of native
help restore the native ecosystem. plant species, awareness of the impact of
wilding pines on the local ecosystem, and
Students and teachers are working with the learning how to collaborate with community
local council, Department of Conservation, groups outside of school to achieve their
and local community groups, to establish three restoration goals.
photo point sites at Ben Lomond, Moke Lake,
and the Mataguari Wetland. While poor weather and COVID19 related
restrictions have delayed this project, the
Photographic records and species assessments three photo point sites are now established
at these sites will allow ongoing monitoring and recording is underway. Students will
of changes in plant biodiversity in these areas continue to document and photograph their
in response to conifer removal and native conifer removal efforts, working with experts
planting. The school will establish native to collect data and monitor vegetation
species using the Trees for Survival programme change over time.
which runs in conjunction with Accor hotels,
who provide native trees for planting in areas
that have been cleared.
11SOURCE TO SEA
Local students learn how to monitor the health of their catchments and examine the
impacts of land management practices on these catchments.
Landscape Connections Trust, the Halo Project, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki ,
University of Otago, Hugo Charitable Trust, Orokonui Ecosanctuary, and the following schools:
Warrington, Waitati, St Leonards, Sawyers Bay, Port Chalmers, Karitane and Pūrākaunui.
Healthy native biodiversity is dependent on think critically as they evaluated vegetation
healthy surface and groundwater systems. types and topographical features.
The Source to Sea initiative works with students
from local schools to develop a greater Armed with this knowledge, each schools’
understanding of their neighbouring waterways students met with other local stakeholders
through a cultural, historical and ecological lens. and formulated a plan for sustainable action
concerning their catchments, with both
Instead of focusing on a single issue, the Source short-term and long-term goals. The students
to Sea approach is to take a holistic look at also communicated their learning journey
the whole catchment area of a stream, from and their action plans with their communities
its headwaters to its estuary. In the first phase through sharing evenings, Facebook posts,
of this project students from three schools newsletters, and local newspaper articles.
(Pūrākaunui, Waitati, Warrington) investigated
the health of streams in their local catchment. Following the success of this first phase, the
Source to Sea project has expanded to work
The students worked alongside scientists and with a further four schools. All seven schools
experts to do hands-on investigations in the will collect data and feed it in to a central
field. They gathered data on water quality database which the community can access,
and fish and invertebrate diversity. They also and use for ongoing monitoring. With this
explored the history of the regions and the information, coupled with the strong links
land management practices surrounding the between landowners and project partners
streams in their catchments. They examined which ensures that the entire community is on
how agricultural and urban land management board, Source to Sea hopes to have a
practices can affect both water quality and long-lasting, sustainable impact.
native biodiversity, and were encouraged to
12SHARK SPY – MONITORING OTAGO SHARKS
Explored the abundance and demographics of Otago’s shark populations and encouraged
citizen scientists to report shark sightings and egg cases.
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, University of Otago, local intermediate and
high schools, and Dunedin marine community groups.
There is a lack of data about the enigmatic shark and shark egg case finds on the Shark Spy
species inhabiting coastal ecosystems around iNaturalist project page.
New Zealand. Although previous research
indicated that numerous species frequent the The Shark Spy project results indicated a
diverse coastal waters around Dunedin, the lack difference in the abundance of sharks outside
of basic demographic information about shark the Otago harbour compared to inside. No
species limits conservation, management and sharks were detected on videos taken inside
policy initiatives. the harbour, but the community did report
sightings of carpet and sevengill sharks during
The goal of the Shark Spy project was to the summer. Outside the harbour there was
empower schools and the community to gather a constant presence of sharks observed by
data about their local shark populations, and community members and the BRUV videos
to spread awareness and excitement about the throughout the year. All data collected was
diversity of sharks to be found in their own area. added to the iNaturalist project page and is
free to access.
Eight different schools and community interest
groups worked with marine scientists to run The second iteration of this project, funded in
boat surveys along the Dunedin coastline using the Otago PSP 2020 round, will expand the
baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs). shark monitoring range to the length of the
The groups collected and analysed video data Otago coast, and will engage with North and
about species diversity and seasonal abundance South Otago community groups and schools.
of sharks and their prey species. Students By continuing to collect this important data
involved gained practical, hands-on knowledge the community hopes to have a clearer
of the scientific process. Alongside this, the picture of shark diversity and seasonal
project ran a campaign to encourage the wider abundance, which will help to conserve these
community to log information of shark sightings captivating creatures.
13EXAMINING STREAM HEALTH IN SOUTH WEST OTAGO
South West Otago school students worked with local catchment groups and scientists to
assess the physical, chemical, and biological health of their local streams.
NZ Landcare Trust, local catchment and water care groups, schools across South West Otago,
University of Otago scientists, and Otago Regional Council.
Water quality is increasingly coming under by investigating what lives in the streams of the
the spotlight in New Zealand and the Otago area, and the conditions necessary for these
Regional Council has highlighted the South aquatic animals’ survival.
and West Otago areas as having some of the
poorest water quality in Otago. A key aim of the project was to encourage
communities to appreciate the value of protecting
Catchment groups working in this area have water quality and to explore ways in which
highlighted the need to help community stream health in the area can be improved.
members better understand what lives in the Throughout the course of the project, the school
area’s streams, and to encourage students to students’ excitement and passion to conserve
think in a sustainable manner about the impacts their local streams spilled over to their family
of their own land use on stream health, and the and neighbours, so that this became a whole
wider environment. community effort.
Throughout this project, the NZ Landcare This work will continue in 2020 with a focus
Trust, along with catchment group members, on stream enhancement. Eight schools will
University of Otago, and Otago Regional collaborate with their local catchment groups
Council staff, worked with students from nine to enhance the habitat of their local stream
schools, their teachers and parents to help raise through riparian planting and management using
awareness of the state of water quality in some an ‘adopt-a-stream’ model. Schools have taken
of the streams in South and West Otago. responsibility for the monitoring and improvement
of their local stream. Building these sustainable
Communities learned how to assess the health relationships between schools and catchment
of local streams using physical, chemical and groups will ensure the long-term improvements of
biological indicators. The project also helped to the health of the waterways in their areas.
introduce ecological systems to schoolchildren,
14KA HAO TE RAKATAHI
Kāi Tahu rakatahi measured and monitored tuna in Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau, and
compared capture methods of fyke nets and hīnaki, to grow their knowledge as kaitiaki.
Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau (Sinclair Wetlands Trust), Te Wānanga
o Raukawa, He Waka Kōtuia, and the University of Otago.
One of the key objectives of this project was to habits, lifecycle, and migratory phase of tuna,
strengthen the connection of Kāi Tahu rakatahi as well as how to set fyke nets correctly and
(young people) with Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau handle tuna safely. They gathered water
(Sinclair Wetlands) through re-learning the quality information and looked at factors
practices associated with mahika kai (food affecting water flow into the wetlands. They
gathering) and understanding wetlands ecology. also discovered the historical importance of
this waterway, the ancestors that once fished
Kāi Tahu rakatahi worked with freshwater it, and why it was a vital food source for those
ecologists from the University of Otago to early ancestors.
monitor tuna (eel). Rakatahi took samples
of longfin and shortfin tuna length, age The findings from this study were shared with
distribution, weight, and numbers each month Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, the wider community,
from September 2018 to April 2019. They and other iwi groups through workshops
analysed the data and compared it with earlier and presentations, including at the inaugural
tuna monitoring studies at Te Nohoaka o Mahika Kai Conference in Lincoln University.
Tukiauau to work out how tuna are faring in the Rakatahi also created works of Māori
wetlands. They also compared the effectiveness performing arts, including waiata and kapa
of traditional tuna capture methods with haka, to ensure the knowledge is retained,
modern (hīnaki vs fyke nets). Cultural experts and shared with future Kāi Tahu rakatahi.
from Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou and He Waka Kōtuia
ensured that kaupapa Māori and mātauraka This community hope to build on their work
Māori were embedded in the design and to explore ways to reintroduce traditional
execution of this project. food gathering and foods to benefit whānau
health, and to investigate knowledge of the
During the project rakatahi increased their Māori maramataka (lunar calendar) to inform
biological, ecological, and historical knowledge specific activities around mahika kai sites.
of the wetlands environment. They learnt the
15LOOKING AHEAD
PROJECTS FUNDED IN 2020
Shark Spy 2 – Extending the Science, Art & Education – Visualising
monitoring range to North the impact of climate change
and South Otago
Bodeker Scientific and Dunstan High School
Expanding on the success of the original Shark will collaborate to develop a 3-dimensional
Spy project, New Zealand Marine Studies model of the Queenstown Lakes District on to
Centre (University of Otago) are exploring which climate scenarios can be projected. The
the abundance and demographics of shark team will then work together to investigate
populations along the length of the Otago how this 3-dimensional visualisation of the
coastline. Scientists and schools will collaborate impacts of climate change influences the public
to collect and analyse video data on local understanding of the local potential effects of
shark populations. Through workshops and climate change.
talks, ocean going community groups will be
encouraged to use iNaturalist to record sightings Kei hea ngā kākā – Where are the
of sharks and the presence of egg cases. kākā and are they safe?
Soil Your Undies Otago – Biological Kākā have a large home range and frequently
indicators of soil biology health and leave Orokonui Ecosantuary. The community
the role of earthworms and dung surrounding Orokonui are eager to know how
they can protect kākā and make the surrounding
beetles as ecosystem engineers habitat more suitable. This local collaboration
will involve ecosanctuary scientists, schools,
This project, led by North Otago Sustainable
community groups, and landowners, investigating
Land Management Group, in collaboration with
the habitat around Orokonui – carrying out kākā
East Otago Catchment Group, local schools,
risk assessments, identifying banded birds, and
scientists, and industry partners, will investigate
registering sightings – with the aim of informing a
soil health in rural East and North Otago.
kākā risk management and habitat restoration plan
Field observations of soil using biological
for the wider community.
indicators (earthworms and cotton digestion)
will be used to assess soil health and create a
soil map of the area. Red billed gulls – Love them or
lose them
2020 Vision Phase 2
Although they are commonly encountered, red
Having successfully co-designed and trialled billed gulls have recently been designated as
peer vision screening as part of the original a threatened species due to a steady decline
Vision 2020 project, Phase 2 will develop this in numbers at their largest breeding colonies.
into a vision screening module, as well as Otago Peninsula Trust, along with the Royal
further investigate barriers and bridges to vision Albatross Centre, will collaborate with schools
correction in children once issues are identified. and communities along the Otago coast to
Scientists from the School of Occupational gather data on where the red billed gulls nest
Therapy, Otago Polytechnic and teachers and and what attracts them to areas, to help inform
students from Tahuna Normal Intermediate will management plans. The project also aims to
co-develop the new learning module which aims increase public awareness and understanding
to make vision science and screening part of the about red billed gulls.
science and health curricula in Dunedin schools.
16Examining the effectiveness of stream
enhancement in South West Otago
South West Otago school students (along
with their teachers and parents) will work with
scientists from NZ Landcare Trust and local
catchment groups, to continue to monitor their
local streams. The students will use their results
to assess the effectiveness of riparian planting
in improving the health of their local ‘adopted’
streams.
Why do some rat traps catch
more rats?
The Central Otago Lakes Branch of Forest &
Bird, and local community trapping partners,
want to investigate the question of what the
most effective and efficient trapping guidelines
are for their region. To do this they will work with
scientists from the University of Otago, as well
as teachers and students from local schools in
Wānaka and Makarora, to establish field surveys
and trap lines and to analyse trap data.
17PREVIOUS OTAGO PSP PROJECTS
2015
Shedding Light on the Night: Nocturnal Biodiversity in the Otago Region
Sediments and Seashores, what are the consequences?
Tracking Pukekura Blue Penguins
Helping Tomahawk Community look after their own backyard
2016
How safe is my cat? A community assessment of the safety of domestic cats in pest control project areas
Warm Not Wet – Affordable Heating & Humidity control for North East Valley Homes
The Conservation of the Great Crested Grebe
Shining a Light on our Environment
Monitoring and control of codling moth in Central Otago
Lighting the way for VIPs (Visually impaired persons)
Naseby Dark Skies Project
2017
Sugar in your diet – kino te pai!
Flip the Fleet: Accelerating electric vehicle uptake in Otago
St Gerards Manuherikia
Helping Tomahawk Lagoon community look after their own backyard: the upper and lower Tomahawk lagoons
Biodiversity monitoring on Quarantine Island / Kamau Taurua
Pukekura Blue Penguins II – Matauranga and mathematics
The Open Valley Urban EcoSancturary – Kapuka Taumahaka Whakamaurutanga
Sediments & Seashores II – Looking deeper
What are we swimming in? Citizen Science in Wanaka
Wakatipu Snow Study Project
2018
If we build it, will Peripatus come?
Citizen Science checking Corporate Specs: Researching Real-life Performance of Electric Vehicles in Otago
Predator Control and Biodiversity Monitoring on Quarantine Island / Kamau Taurua
The Open VUE (Valley Urban Ecosanctuary) II – Kapuka Taumahaka Whakamaurutanga
Ka Hao te Rakatahi – Using traditional and modern capture methods to monitor tuna/eel populations at
a mahika kai site: Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau
Down the Drain – Community Management and the science of Storm Water Mitigation and
ecosystem restoration
Source to Sea – Understanding the health of our catchments
Woodland Sanctuaries for Lizards and Birds: Investigating native plant-fungi symbiosis
18“This project represented the most meaningful
hands-on science that we have done with the
students since I started at the school.”
– Tim Cook, Principal Pūrākaunui School,
Source to Sea projectA Nation of Curious Minds is coordinated by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Ministry of Education, and the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor. The Otago Participatory Science Platform is jointly managed by Otago Science into Action, a partnership between the University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic, the New Zealand International Science Festival, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Otago Museum. It is coordinated from Otago Museum. Visit www.scienceintoaction.nz and www.curiousminds.nz to find out more.
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