Workshop One

After two days, workshop 1 continued at the Royal Society.   Some work was theoretical, for instance, unpacking how the Nature of Science integrates into science contexts.  

We also visited Koraunui School, situated in Stokes Valley in Lower Hutt to observe best practice, first hand.  We were introduced to Diane Christenson (ex STLP) who showed us how teachers uses the school environment and the science capabilities (using evidence) to teach through the Nature of Science lens.

A shared vision with everyone contributing their ideas, and facilitated by Dayle

A published model of Nature of Science, followed by a digital copy of our shared ideas on the whiteboard.

Chris's digital representation of Nature of Science model

Using Investigating in Science to make a boat that floated using a variety of materials.

Using close observation skills and evidence to ascertain which dinosaurs made which footprints.

Using the school gardens to teach Participating and Contributing in Science including sustainability.

There was a great display of a recent Bioblitz in the library,.

Skink sightings were plentiful on a walk around Sommes Island.

A personal visit to Sommes Island was a great way to immerse myself in sustainable
Science before returning to Auckland and see how DOC is working to manage
the ecosystems on the island, especially pest management.

This weta hotel was the only hotel on the island.

STLP Marae visit

On the morning of 27th February, STLP2018a teacher participants and facilitators gathered outside Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay, waiting to be welcomed with a powhiri.  After our welcome, everyone presented their mihi and pepeha to the group.  I found it nerve wracking reciting my history in Te Reo from memory, but it set the tone for the workshop based at the marae: one of respect, openness and commitment to learn.  We spent two days at the marae immersing ourselves in Maori culture and looking at science from a Maori perspective, under the guidance and watchful eye of Craig.  

We did a wide variety of hands on scientific challenges in small groups, and then reflected on them.  We discussed how they could be taught from a Nature of Science perspective, and what probing questions we could use.  Special mention must go to our evening of story telling of maori myths - I will always think fondly of our shared visions of whales and fish.

One of the special things at the marae was to sit or lie on a mattress in the sleeping quarters while we were engaged in PD - relaxed and comfortable. but still alert to new ideas.  Another was exploring the building itself,  and the artefacts within it - built with purpose and aroha, committed to nurturing all their guests.  The bountiful kia, presented with such care and thoughtfulness was another special feature.

Tapu te Ranga marae has been made entirely from recycled materials,
and is home to several families, who live on the marae.

Craig took us on a bush walk, and showed us many plants that had medicinal 
properties. We all infused kawakawa leaves in oil to make an anticeptic lotion 
(after it has stood for some months)

One of the group experiment was to design, test and develop a catapult using limited resources.

Another group challenge involved stacking liquids in a straw.

Arthropod Collection

It is an interesting change of pace and direction to work with the Arthropod Collection from time to time.  The collection is held in a temperature/humidity controlled environment.  When I am working on display cases, I work under Sarah T's direction and guidance.  We are working towards making a range of display cases of insects, suitable for schools, that are based around different themes: the biggest, brightest, longest, best camouflaged and so on.

Sarah at her desk

The Arthropod Collection - these drawers hold the scientific archived collection

There are quite a number of boxes of insects that are available for use in focused display cases.

A sample of insects that might be used in a themed display box.

And what does one wear to the Arthropod  Collection?

Volunteer info

Landcare Resources has a group of people who volunteer their services on a part time, regular basis, maybe a few house a week.   The ones I have met have been doing lab work, but there are volunteers working in many areas of the company.

I was able to assist in proofing and making suggestions around the amended volunteer letter.

Spider display case

Another task I am assisting with is the setting up of insect cases suited for display in schools. These are display cases of insects on show for public interest, as opposed to archived scientific collections. I am doing this under the supervision of Sarah T, in the Arthropod Collection. These display cases are in need of some rationalisation - sorting and labelling insects into theme displays such as biggest, heaviest, longest, most colourful and so on.

As a starting point, I rationalised the spider display case with new labelling and positioning, and also made some optional informational sheets suitable for schools to accompany them.

Body bacteria

It is interesting to consider how many bacteria are on the outside and inside your body as part of the way we live.  As an impromptu investigation, samples of my fingertips, between my toes and swaps from inside my cheeks were taken and then grown in blood media.  The cultures were incubated overnight and then reviewed.  Megan assured me that all the bacteria growing were ones that you could expect to find.

No nasty surprises - just a surprising amount of bacterial growth

There seems to be a certain likeness here.

Kauri roots

There is a very thorough and complicated procedure to wash, disinfect the surface of kauri roots in preparation for plating on petri dishes.  Small sections of kauri root are washed a total of ten times and sterilised at least six times.

This is the first page of three listing all the steps in the process.  

The vortex is used to properly shake the root in water as part of the washing process.

A root sample at the beginning of the cleaning process.

Kauri die back research

I will be working (in a very small way) on the research project investigating biochemical ways of halting kauri die back.
Here are some Landcare posters outlining published research to date:

Bioblitz

On Friday 16 February, I travelled with a group of Landcare scientists to the national wetland centre at Rotopiko, near Ohaupo in the Waikato, and set up ready for the start of the Bitoblitz at 12noon.

A Bioblitz is an event where you conduct an intensive survey of biological diversity of a particular area (Ropopiko) over a period of time (24 hours).  The goal is to count as many species as possible and enter them on Nature watch New Zealand website.  It is a unique opportunity for scientists, students, teachers and families to work together in the same place at the same time on the same project. 
Landcare Research video:  Bioblitz at Rotopiko
Landcare Research generic info:

Selection of photos from the 24 hour period

Bioblitz base camp 

Learning about bacteria in the wetlands

Learning about fungi in the wetlands

Identifying micro-organisms in the wetlands

Isolating micro-organisms found in stamp water, ready for identification and recording.

Ruud Klenpaste, the wetland trust patron, told engaging stories about insects found in the wetlands.

Running total of species tally at the Bioblitz

Scientists on duty at the Bioblitz

Students from Ohaupo School looking for specimens

A few interesting activities from the Bioblitz to modify and try at school.

Science Fair project by Ohaupo school students outlining how they investigated ways
 to keep hedgehogs from eating all the bait in tracking tunnels at their school.

Bioblitz preparation

Unlike other micro-organisms, bacteria have to be prepared in advance of the Bioblitz so that the pure cultures can be identified and displayed on the day, and recorded in the Bioblitz databse on Naturewatch.   Bacteria are grown on different media and  then their growth checked.  Interesting cultures are then 'subbed' out, ie  replated on different media again, and so on, until a pure culture is obtained.   Megan picked off colonies that looked different and more interesting, as she was looking for new ones not described before.

One sample was of special interest because it was looked new, so it was sent away to the genetics lab for sequencing once a pure sample was obtained (ie, not mixed 'contaminated' with other samples).  The DNA sequencing confirmed that it was a new discovery.

We found that, unfortunately, the algae in stagnant water did not grow as it was dead upon arrival; the collected sample was delayed coming up to Mount Wellington and had dried out.

Here are photos of the plates showing the bacteria found in each of six locations in the Bioblitz area.

Appropriate site of raupo sample

Approximate site of Kahikatea sample

Approximate site of Lemonwood sample

Approximate site of Manuka sample

Approximate site of stagnant water sample

Approximate site of grassland sample

Bioblitz t-shirts were handed out to Landcare scientists so they could be
easily identified by members of the public.

We practised making mushrooms out of paper napkins as an
activity we could help school children with, as an extra activity to collecting.