Crash-landed Hutton's shearwater
birds have given a Kaikoura year 13 science class the opportunity for some
hands-on learning.
The Kaikoura High School general
science class spent the day last week testing DNA from feathers taken from
birds which crash-landed this season.
The Hutton's Shearwater Charitable
Trust collected a feather from each of the birds found on the roads around the
district in order to extract the bird's DNA, and determine their gender.
Teacher Rebecca Scott said the
students were thoroughly engaged for the whole day and really enjoyed the
experience, which would also earn them credits towards the practical side of
their course.
"It was very meaningful and
worthwhile," she said.
"Genetics can be quite
theoretical so for them to be able to put this into practice with a bird which
is endemic to this region was a really great experience."
About 75 birds were picked up
over a four-week period this year, predominantly along the Esplanade.
University of Canterbury marine
ecology lecturer Dr Sharyn Goldstein spent the day with the students DNA-testing
27 of those birds.
The students had done a
fantastic job, resulting in some good data, she said.
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