‘It’s Science Jim…but not as we know it’

1. ‘It’s Science Jim…but not as we know it’ Chrissy Henley, Regional Co-ord; James Corbett, Manukau Pgm Mgr

2. Workshop Practical hands-on session ~ monitoring waterways AIMS • Understanding the programme & resources • Curriculum links with Science • Intro to simple tests, tools & techniques • Practical group session using above • Data collection, storage & use • Other resources and uses and to have fun !

3. Why monitor? • Trends & patterns to highlight issues • Real-life context for science studies • Engage student interest • Informed Action

4. Caddisfly Mayfly Inanga Shortfin eel Is there anybody out there? Banded Kokopu Redfin Bully Photos courtesy of S. Moore.

5. Habitat Destruction & Predation? Habitat Restoration B A

6. Actions & Consequences Sediment Call the Pollution Hotline ph 366-2000

7. Who & What is Wai Care? Councils & communities working together to provide a sustainable future for water catchments Vision – together for healthy waterways • Goal - to enable communities to be active in the protection and management of waterways • Objectives • 1. Awareness 2. Monitoring • 3. Involvement & Action 4. Partnerships & communication • 5. Advocacy 6. Quality & support

8. Real life science – opportunities to take action

9. Nature of Science Planet Earth & Beyond Understanding Living World Investigating & Communicating Material World Participating & Contributing Physical World • Understanding the water cycle and how human activities impact on the water cycle with a focus on freshwater. • Classification activities to identify freshwater organisms (at different lifecycle stages) and understand adaptations to their habitat. • Identifying biotic and abiotic factors in freshwater habitats and ways in which these can be assessed • Food chains and food webs, trophic levels etc and factors that disrupt them – e.g. pest fish, weeds, pollution. • Explaining activities that will impact negatively on waterways e.g. eutrophication and how the impacts can be mitigated

10. Science • Wai Care is well suited to the core curriculum strands • Skills, attitudes, values • enquiry learning process • application of scientific method • action research (e.g. CREST, Science Fair, Bayer Boost Yr 12&13) • Royal Society (WWMonth, Koura Craze) • Education for Sustainability EFS programs

11. Wai Care Co-ordinators • Supporting the success of the programme. • Linking groups with resources & experts • Providing technical assistance • Monitoring and action programme design • in-class workshops / context • monitoring site choice, frequency & timing • monitoring techniques • Data collection and storage • Results interpretation • Support group to look at behaviour • Taking action within the community

12. Access to experts • Paul Woodard provides advice on native fish, live fish displays & demonstrates fish capture techniques • Stephen Moore, LandCare Research Ltd provides advice on invertebrate monitoring, identification and assessment of habitat health, native fish

13. Basic Tests & Tools Physical Flow Temperature Clarity Chemical Nitrate DO pH Phosphorus • Habitat/Ecology • SOSMART • Invertebrates • Fish

14. SOSMART

18. Resources • Wai Care manual… • Kit • Recording sheet • Website www.waicare.org.nz • WIMP • Activity circuit • Posters • NewSplash • Annual Report

19. Data Collection

20. Data Storage • Database allows groups to input and access monitoring data. • The following mechanisms ensure data reliability: • Password system so only registered groups input data • Default system which prevents nonsense data. • Data is not available on the website until verified by the local co-ordinator

23. Additional education opportunities • Multiple learning outcomes • Extension studies • Science Fair Projects • CREST Awards

24. Example : the “PakMak” Plan Problem : frequent pollution + aquatic weed + little stream life Solution ? A Makeover by Teachers & students taking action! Planning Working group >40 students Pkga College Env Cttee, teachers from 4 depts + other schools. Speakers from Wai Care and ARC provided insights and ideas. Taking Action1. Weed weigh-in competition. Students removed weed then guessed the weight removed & the number of eels [showed that weed does provide habitat]2. Social Science “Not in my backyard” 500+ yr 9 learnt about the nature of human impacts & their effects on stream ecology. 3. Taking ResponsibilitySome Env Cttee students supervised the different stations & attended planting as stream ambassadors.

25. Example : Papatoetoe High School • 3 classes integrated Wai Care into their yr 10 ecology unit • activity circuit used to practice monitoring skills and understand stream processes • stream monitoring • restoration planned • restoration planting over 2 years • workshop for all yr 10 teachers. The Royal Society of NZ helped pay teacher relief and training expenses.

26. Other Waterway Education Sites Chch City Council http://www.waterlink.org.nz/ CCC & ECANhttp://www.cleanwaterways.org.nz/ EMAP http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/Site/teachersstudents/Programmes/emap/default.aspx http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/Site/teachersstudents/Resources_for_schools/learning_resources/environment.aspx Envt Southland http://www.es.govt.nz/environment/education/stream-connections/ Greater Wellington http://gw.govt.nz/take-action-for-water/ Watercare Adopt-A-Stream (Yr5-8)http://www.water.co.nz/watercare/education/education_home.cfm Waterwatch www.waterwatch.org.au/

27. Let’s have a go !