Environmentally minded students from eight primary schools were immersed in an inspiring STEM Challenge, hosted on the land and waters of Moreton Bay (Quandamooka Country). This engaging, hands-on learning experience empowered students to act as eco-scientists, investigating one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution is a global crisis. Every year, around 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the world's oceans. In Australia alone, 130,000 tonnes of plastic waste ends up in our waterways and oceans annually. Microplastics - tiny fragments less than 5mm in size - are particularly dangerous, as they are easily ingested by marine organisms, disrupting food webs and biodiversity. This aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (14) - Life Below Water: Pollution (plastic and runoff), overfishing, coral bleaching, and coastal ecosystem destruction are all exacerbated by population growth. Two-thirds of marine areas have been damaged by human activity and a third of sharks and rays and a third of reef corals are threatened with extinction.
With this urgent issue in mind, students were tasked with exploring two of the biggest challenges scientists face today:
- Understanding the impact of plastics and microplastics on food webs and biodiversity.
- Developing effective strategies for managing plastic waste.
Using scientific methods, real-world equipment and inquiry-based learning, students investigated the impact of rubbish - particularly microplastics - on Moreton Bay's unique biodiversity. A strong focus was placed on microplankton, which form the base of the marine food web.
Activities included:
- Surveying land use to understand how plastic enters and moves through the environment.
- Conducting a microplastics assessment and litter audit at Bayside Park, using citizen science protocols from the Australian Marine Debris Initiative.
- Learning from expert guest speakers, including Jaimie Roberts (Environmental Officer, Port of Brisbane) and Dr Eleanor Velasquez (Marine Scientist).
- Participating in a plankton trawl to explore marine ecosystems and analyse the potential effects of microplastic ingestion.
These budding young scientists not only gathered data and insights, but also engaged in rich discussions about sustainable solutions, environmental stewardship, and the role of education in creating change. The days were filled with thoughtful collaboration and creative problem-solving around how to reduce human impact and preserve the natural beauty and health of Moreton Bay. Additionally, in the culminating day, students engaged with Matt Burns, Quandamooka Cultural Officer, about the ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People care for Country and connect science to the signs in nature.
Young people today are not only aware of the climate crisis - but they are also leading the charge toward sustainable development. They are entrepreneurs, scientists, and innovators of the future.
Thank you to the participating schools - Greenslopes SS, Seven Hills SS, Manly SS, Rochedale SS, Lota SS, Ormiston SS, Tingalpa SS and Wynnum West SS - for supporting your students in this powerful learning experience. Your commitment to environmental education is shaping the changemakers of tomorrow.