Marine Debris Project Final Report 2014

Part VIICitizen Science7. OverviewIn 2011, a three year partnership was entered into by Shell, Earthwatch Australia and CSIRO with specificoutreach goals. These included: 1) increased science learning and uptake for individuals, schools,communities and industry across the country and 2) contribute to a change in behaviour resulting indecreased marine debris deposition across the country due to science learning at local scales.In order to achieve these goals CSIRO and Earthwatch staff developed and led engagement with primaryand secondary age students, as well as community groups and Shell employees through the TeachWild“Scientist for a Day” program. This program involved classroom and field based excursions wherebyparticipants learned about marine debris impacts on wildlife and collected data to contribute to thenational state of knowledge on the locations, density and types of marine debris that occurs on theAustralian coastline. CSIRO staff also led science educators, artists and Shell employees on week-long fieldexpeditions to learn about the project and how the science was conducted and carried back to theirclassrooms, workplaces, and communities.7.1 Scientist for a DayThe highly successful Scientist for a Day program has resulted in engagement with more than 5,700students to date. With Earthwatch staff, scientists from CSIRO have worked with teachers and schools fromall states (excluding the ACT) on the 1 Day Scientist for a Day program. The scientist for a day programinvolved a presentation of marine debris (what it is, where it comes from) and its effects on wildlife. Theexcitement and enthusiasm from schools around the country has been impressive. Schools have developedtheir own videos based upon their learning experiences and the program has led to engagement in stateand national kids teaching kids participation from schools in two states using their learnings in the Scientistfor a Day program to teach other students about the TeachWild program and the marine debris issue.Teachers and students have together developed waste reduction programs at their schools and havedeveloped innovative practices to change school, community and home practices, particularly aroundplastic waste.In addition to these live face-to-face interactions with school groups, we have increased ourSkype/videoconferencing interactions with school groups. CSIRO staff have had some fantastic Skype/webchats with numerous other primary and secondary school kids throughout the year. Having live chats with40 | Understanding the effects of marine debris on wildlife