Wētā Watchers

Abstract

The Weta Watcher project aims to engage students from primary schools in South Auckland to carry out a research project on the ecology and conservation of tree weta. Weta ideal candidates for citizen science and science outreach projects because they are easier to work with than most other insects, they can be relatively large and are very appealing to school students, particularly tree weta. Weta motels were placed on the grounds of three South Auckland primary schools in May 2016. Weta motels are wooden refugia that simulate natural galleries used by weta and other invertebrates. They have a hole that is big enough to let weta in, but too small for its predators (mice, rats). Using weta motel, students can census tree weta population on the schools grounds and determine their diet by carrying out DNA analyses of their droppings. These droppings will be analysed using DNA-based methods to identify the plants eaten by weta. This analysis will be a two-steps process: 1. Extracting, amplifying and observing the DNA: this will be conducted at the schools and experiments will be performed by the students using the portable BentoLab device. 2. DNA purification and next generation sequencing: this will be performed at Unitec using the MinION DNA sequencer. School students will Skype in during the final sequencing step. This project constitutes a citizen science project, actively involving and empowering school students with an appealing hands-on research project. Furthermore, this project will lead to scientifically useful data and so exemplifies the goals of citizen science. Because weta are good biodiversity indicators, the data collected in a shared network in South Auckland will provide important information about the health of school ecosystems and the often unseen urban biodiversity.

Full text

Wētā Watchers
A participatory science project that combines!
Outreach Conservation & Genetics
Stéphane Boyer
sboyer@unitec.ac.nz!
Applied Molecular Solutions research group
Environmental and Animal Science !
Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland NZ
Starring
School students from Bairds Manfreight
Primary School, Rongomai School and
Dawson School
Acknowledgements
Nick Pattison, Sheryl Thompson, Tarayn
Zeier, Sarah Morgan, Victoria Metcalf
2. DNA analysis in schools!
Using the portable BentoLab, students performed DNA!
extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis in their classroom.
3. DNA sequencing!
Real-time DNA sequencing will be performed at Unitec
using the MinION DNA sequencer and classes will Skype in
to observe and ask questions.
1. Wētā activity day
56 little scientists from three South Auckland
schools, eight activities about wētā in 15 min
rotating stations.
!
Plant DNA from wētā poo
Science questions: Where are wētā in urban
environment and what do they feed on?
Method: Install wētā motels in schools and
collect wētā poo for DNA analysis.
Educational aims: Learn about invertebrates,
the concept of DNA and how it is analysed.
Community impact: Inform the design of
wētā-friendly schools.