Students analyze the presence of garbage and water chemistry in the Trancura River.

Analyzing the various types of residual water and riverbank pollution in the Trancura River, La Araucanía region, was the objective of the project “Citizen Science: Scientists of the Trancura River Garbage”, led by the Kitranko Group. The initiative invited community members from Mamuil Malal and Ecoescuela Antumawida schools to experience nature-based learning through educational field trips; the construction of an artificial wetland; organizing a sustainability meeting for children; and the production of a micro-documentary, among other activities.

The first stage of the project included theoretical and practical classes where students explored the issues of macro-garbage and its various impacts on nature; ecosystem functions and nutrient cycles in water: and the development of possible solutions to decontaminate the banks of the Trancura River. Through field trips, they collected information on the composition and abundance of garbage in this area and carried out chemical tests on three different sources of the river and nearby springs of both schools to collect data on the presence of nitrate, phosphate, and pH. Subsequently, this information was analyzed and compared with samples from the Kolo-kolo wetland sector (gray water drain).

Students complemented their learning about the water cycle, chemistry, and types of pollution by constructing small-scale wetland models to recognize the ecosystem functions of these natural environments. This exercise led to the construction of a larger artificial wetland at Ecoescuela Antumawida, intended for treating gray water from the bathroom sinks of the educational facility, where macrophyte plantings were carried out, and a filtration system with stones and other elements was incorporated.

Another outcome of this experience was the creation, editing, and assembly of a micro-documentary where students, through an open letter, invite other boys and girls around the world to explore the problem of garbage and pollution in their living areas. Additionally, they share their reflections regarding the pollution experience in their local context.

Meeting of Childhood for a Sustainable Curarrehue.

Finally, the students shared the analysis, conclusions, and reflections of their research at the 2nd Meeting of Childhood for a Sustainable Curarrehue. About 150 attendees, including municipal authorities, students from different schools in the commune, and their families participated in this meeting held at the Curarrehue Municipal Library. In this instance, boys and girls presented the results of their studies through a scientific poster, where they shared recommendations and possible solutions to address the problem of Trancura River pollution. They also presented a small-scale wetland model to explain its operation in relation to water filtration.

After the project’s execution, the Kitranko Group will evaluate carrying out new versions of the initiative to raise awareness about water pollution and chemistry, through community action and school involvement to highlight the relevance of this issue.