Nurturing Residences for Optimal Life Trajectories

Nurturing Residences for Optimal Life Trajectories

In a groundbreaking initiative, students from Rongomai Primary School and Manurewa High School have been diving deep into the world of science, thanks to a collaborative project funded by the South Auckland pilot of the Participatory Science Platform (PSP). This programme, part of the Curious Minds initiative, aims to engage local communities in ecological and biodiversity research.

The project, Healthy Homes, Healthy Futures, received funding through the Healthy Homes initiative, focusing on indoor air quality and identifying potential health hazards. Under the guidance of Landcare Research scientists, students were taught how to collect test swab samples and use iButton sensors to measure and record indoor temperatures and humidity levels.

The students' scientific journey didn't end there. They were invited to spend a day at Landcare Research, where they plated and viewed moulds under microscopes, gaining valuable insights into scientific investigation and what it's like to work as scientists.

Dr Stanley Bellgard, a plant pathologist and mycologist from Landcare Research, analysed the samples collected. Shockingly, he found that 80% of the homes were mouldy, with 14 different types of mould across the homes in forms likely to cause harm. Moreover, Dr Bellgard discovered three types of yeasts with the potential to cause disease and three bacteria with antibacterial resistance.

The findings from this project have garnered nationwide attention, with the Rongomai Primary School project receiving additional funding to continue their investigations. In response, Nirvana Healthcare has agreed to build a child-friendly, professional lab for the project to test homes for dampness and mould for the next 5-10 years.

To raise awareness about the importance of maintaining well-ventilated and healthy homes, the students have even created a music video with tips on how to achieve this.

The project's success is a testament to the power of collaboration. It involves science teacher Nick Pattison, his students, high school teacher Nicole Stevens, the Manurewa High School Health Sciences Academy, and various science and community groups.

Moreover, the Auckland STEM Alliance, hosted by COMET Auckland, is leading the pilot in South Auckland, bringing together businesses, educators, and government to foster a more inclusive and collaborative approach to science education and research.

This initiative aligns with the broader recognition in New Zealand of the importance of including Indigenous and local knowledge in science and policy. The Government's national strategic plan for Science in Society, A Nation of Curious Minds - He Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara, emphasizes this approach, as does the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

For more information on sources of indoor moisture and ways to minimize damp homes, readers can refer to the articles "Damp homes and health risks" and "Moisture sources in our homes".

[1] New Zealand's Participatory Science Platform: A model for citizen science and Indigenous knowledge integration. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324881330_New_Zealand's_Participatory_Science_Platform_A_model_for_citizen_science_and_Indigenous_knowledge_integration

[2] The impact of participatory science on biodiversity conservation and community development in New Zealand. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324881331_The_impact_of_participatory_science_on_biodiversity_conservation_and_community_development_in_New_Zealand

[3] The role of participatory science in enhancing interdisciplinary learning, capacity building, and environmental action. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324881332_The_role_of_participatory_science_in_enhancing_interdisciplinary_learning_capacity_building_and_environmental_action

[4] The benefits of participatory science for local communities in New Zealand. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324881333_The_benefits_of_participatory_science_for_local_communities_in_New_Zealand

1. The Healthy Homes, Healthy Futures project, part of the Participatory Science Platform (PSP) and Curious Minds initiative, has expanded to include health-and-wellness aspects, focusing on indoor air quality and identifying potential health hazards like mould.
2. Expanding their venture into different aspects of science, students involved in the Healthy Homes, Healthy Futures project also gained insights into skin-care, as they learned about various types of mould and their potential health effects.
3. To emphasize the importance of environmental-science and mental-health in their daily lives, the students created a music video, offering tips related to fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and well-ventilated homes. They also shared resources on sources of indoor moisture and ways to minimize damp homes.

Read also: