It's life, but not as we know it

Thursday, 25th May 2023 at 1:30pm

Discovering the secrets of Lichen!

Green Bay High School Chemistry and Biology teacher, Dr Angelo Tedoldi, has selected a group of students to be part of a scientific research project, investigating the wonderful world of natural eco-systems, with lichens leading the way!

The school science department has received funding from WeSTEM to run an investigative project where students will be collecting lichens from different trees throughout the school over the next couple of weeks. These samples will be sent to the team's science partner, Research Geologist Adam Martin at GNS Science (Dunedin) who specialises in Geology, Petrology, Geochronology, and Geochemistry. The project is using lichen as a bio indicator of air quality.

WeSTEM is an initiative of Te Hononga Akoranga COMET and is funded by the Ministry of Pacific People’s Toloa Community Impact funds to increase Pacific people’s participation in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

Did you know? Symbiosis in lichens is so well-balanced that lichens have been considered as self-contained miniature ecosystems. Some lichens are hundred of years old and can be used to date the surfaces on which they grow.