It’s science that sucks, in a good way
BENTLEY Park College students are receiving a hands-on lesson in biology that sucks – literally.
Students from Prep to Year 6 at the school are the first in Cairns to take park in Eliminate Dengue’s Wolbachia Warriors program, which started on Friday.
The program, named after the bacteria injected into dengue mosquitoes to render them unable to transmit the dengue fever virus, directly contributes to the natural and safe method to reduce the risk of mosquitotransmitted diseases.
Eliminate Dengue spokeswoman Kate Retzki said students had been provided with kits to grow and release mosquitoes in their gardens at home that carried wolbachia bacteria.
These mosquitoes breed with wild mosquitoes and pass wolbachia to their offspring.
Over just a few generations, it is hoped wolbachia in the local mosquito population will increase to high levels, reducing the risk of dengue and Zika outbreaks in the area.
“This hands-on, voluntary program teaches students about life cycles and the control of mosquito-borne diseases while assisting the expansion of our Cairns project,” Ms Retzki said.
“Over the next six weeks, students will carry out three rounds of wolbachia mosquito releases as they learn how to make scientific observations, record results and experience how science can contribute to global issues.”