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What We Did
We participated in a ‘What’s in Your Water’ microbiology segment with the children of Okains Bay School. The purpose of the event was to excite young learners about their local environment and to introduce them to the tools of science for learning more about it.
The water supply to the schoolhouse comes from the nearby Opara Stream, and it requires filtration or boiling before consumption. We analysed tap water with the children. They were exposed to the ‘full laboratory’ experience, where they poured agar plates, filtered water and counted the bacteria. At the end, we had a discussion about what their results meant, how the bacteria we isolated - Escherichia coli - could get into their water and what it meant for them as residents of Okains Bay.
Who Was Involved
The inception of the idea came from the collaboration between Kirsty Brennan of EOS Ecology and Dr Brigitta Kurenbach and Prof Jack Heinemann from UC. The project was completed by the principal of Okains Bay School, Colin Hammond, MSc student Deb Paull, and PhD student Sophie van Hamelsveld.
Why It Matters
These children live in a rural community where their immediate access to drinking water comes from a stream that has E. coli levels sometimes 100x above the safe drinking water limit. They were already aware that their water could be unsafe, but didn’t really understand why. This segment was important for them to learn about how human activities affect the environment, and gave them an insight into how tiny microorganisms can have big impacts.
Learn More
- In the past year, the school has been working with us and EOS Ecology’s Nature Agents program. This program focuses on water quality in a broader sense, looking at macro- and micro-organisms.
- www.natureagents.co.nz/participating-agencies
