Sequence our Seas (SoS): A community program to introduce eDNA at high schools in Western Australia

Ms Miwa Takahashi1, Mr Shane Herbert1, Professor  Michael Bunce1

1Curtin University, Bentley, Australia

Abstract:

eDNA has rapidly transitioned from being tested and validated as a research tool to being broadly adopted for biodiversity monitoring by industry and governments. The eDNA sampling creates an opportunity to educate the school groups and the broader community about the organisms living around them. The Sequence our Seas (SoS) program was launched by Curtin University’s Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) laboratory and eDNA frontiers in 2019 with the aim of demonstrating to school and community groups how eDNA can be used to reveal biodiversity within local marine environments. SoS has been trialled and refined at a number of Western Australian high schools where it was found the concept translated well in education programs, by allowing teachers and students to expand their understanding of nature by adding broad taxonomic identifications alongside their observations. It delivers a three-lesson package, constructed with a lecture to introduce eDNA theory and applications followed by the practical components of water sampling, DNA extraction, sequencing and bioinformatics. Feedback to date indicates that the program is attractive to schools for multiple reasons, including connecting communities with their local environments, creating environmental awareness, and providing STEM education principles with a sense of contributing to a meaningful scientific pursuit through cutting-edge science.


Biography:

Miwa is a marine biologist interested in marine ecology, fishery science, metabarcoding and species distribution modelling. She did her undergraduate studies at James Cook University, followed by a PhD at Curtin University. She is now working at eDNA frontiers and at CSIRO, both based in Perth, being involved in eDNA methods innovation and leading a community engagement program.

Date

Mar 21 - 23 2022
Expired!