| Biography |
|---|
| I am a grade 8 student from Pender Island, B.C. where I attend an ecological school program. Playing violin, singing, drawing and movie making are some of my hobbies. Because I live on a small island, it’s no surprise that I love the ocean. I have been inspired to focus the last two years of scientific research on the subject of microplastics in the ocean. Last year, I studied how synthetic microfibers were being released into the ocean via our washing machines. This year, I wanted to see if microfibres were making their way into the local food chain. I collected and analyzed clams from three beaches and processed them in a lab setting. My results showed that microfibers are in the clams I analyzed. Synthetic microfibers are becoming a huge problem for our oceans and I am very worried. In the next months I will be thinking about how I can dive into this subject further. I’d like to start educating the public and begin studying possible solutions. I am also interested in contacting washing machine manufacturers, and maybe even start a petition asking that governments and legislation address the matter of microfiber pollution. |
| Lauren Grace Ohnona
Microplastics in Our Local Shellfish
| Challenge: | Environment | | Category: | Junior | | Region: | Vancouver Island | | City: | Pender Island, BC | | School: | Pender Islands Elem-Secondary | | Abstract: | For this project, I tested three beaches on Pender Island, in search of microplastics in the clams. This is an important topic because these tiny plastics work their way up the food chain, harming animals and poisoning our oceans. I wanted to get an idea of just how much of these microscopic plastics were accumulating inside these shellfish. |
| Awards | Value | Excellence Award - Junior
Silver Medal
Sponsor: Youth Science Canada | | Western University Scholarship
Silver Medallist - $2000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: Western University | $2 000.00 | | Total | $2 000.00 | |
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