A citizen science project is bringing research out of the laboratory and into classrooms and communities, supporting public health initiatives while inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Building on the work of Metro South Health’s Zika Mozzie Seeker project, Mozzie SHIELDS (Strengthening Health through Integrated Engagement and Learning in Disease Surveillance) brings together schools, communities and researchers to monitor mosquito populations across Southeast Queensland.
The research aims to strengthen early-warning approaches for invasive mosquitoes and help protect Queenslanders from mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue, Zika and chikungunya.
Mozzie SHIELDS Project Manager Dr Alyssa Peterson said education and community engagement are central to the success of the project.
“We've partnered with the wonderful teachers at Brisbane South State Secondary College to co-design curriculum-aligned educational resources that make this project uniquely engaging, practical, and sustainable,” Dr Peterson said.
“Students become citizen scientists by collecting mosquito samples for genomic analysis in our laboratory.
“It's a win-win, with students gaining real-world scientific experience while contributing valuable data to public health research into mosquito-borne diseases.”
Through the project’s ‘Lab in a Suitcase’ initiative, students use scientific equipment, learn laboratory techniques and participate in diagnostic testing activities without leaving the classroom.
“For many students, particularly in rural and regional Queensland, opportunities to use real laboratory equipment are limited until university,” she said.
“We want to bridge that gap by bringing authentic scientific experiences directly into classrooms, building students' confidence, curiosity, and practical skills.
“Mozzie SHIELDS is about more than research; it's about showing young Queenslanders that science happens in their communities, that they can contribute to it, and that a future in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are within their reach.”
There are opportunities for anyone interested in becoming citizen scientists to contribute to the research project, including signing up to Zika Mozzie Seeker and participating in co-design workshops where everyday people can help shape the tools, instructional materials, and community messaging that will power Mozzie SHIELDS.
Residents living within 15 kilometres of the Port of Brisbane are also encouraged to sign up to PORTS (Precision Optimization for Resilient Targeted Surveillance) to help with surveillance of invasive mosquitos and the diseases they carry.