Our Horowhenua group were excited to display the various aspects of the Indigenous Sparks™ program at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō. The kaupapa focused on reducing plastic pollution, microplastics and raising awareness. However this was just the basic foundation toward a cross -curricular initiative geared at increasing engagement in Science, Technology, Mathematics and Environmental science. The extensive work done by the team was amazing as youth commenced in Term 1 and concluded in Term 3 this year.

Groups created a series of recycling stations across the school and weekly collated photos of plastics, cans and paper collected over 6 weeks of Term 1.

Youth then focused on raising awareness across the school community about the harmful effects plastics are having on the environment, developing a series of posters, infographics for the school notice boards.

Teams also worked toward creating animations, podcasts as a heightened means to ensure the message was not just seen but heard.

Snippet on display at local library in July this year.

Youth finally created their own ‘plastic’ podcasts, featured on Saturday 10 August at Coast Access Radio 104.7FM as they continued to raise awareness about impacts of plastic on our environment.