DOC's Marine Species and Threats team has sponsored three projects with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), an engineering university in Massachusetts, USA.
As a part of all undergraduate degrees at WPI, students must undertake an Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP). The IQP is a research project that integrates science and/or technology with social issues and human needs.
There are project centres all over the world and students must work with a sponsor at one of these locations to address a problem. Many projects involve surveying and interacting with the community to gather information.
The three projects DOC sponsored with WPI are:
A call for action: Increasing public awareness of the Māui dolphin
By Jessica Caccioppoli, Lindsay Gotts, Lukas Hunker, and Gaetano Scuderi, 2014-15
Abstract: DOC has experienced difficulties in raising public awareness of the critically endangered Māui dolphin. In order to address this problem, Māui dolphin activists and educators were interviewed to determine ways that individuals and communities can take action to help conserve this species.
Current conservation education strategies and the concept of mātauranga Māori were also assessed. As an outcome, an educational video and a children’s book were created and several recommendations on how to increase awareness were made.
Outlook on a species: Evaluation of public outreach and educational strategies regarding conservation efforts of the New Zealand sea lion
By Jessica Desmond, Matthre Dunster, Andrew Egger, and Thomas Nuthmann, 2014-15
Abstract: Due to a rapid population decline, the New Zealand sea lion is listed as 'Nationally Critical'. DOC and New Zealand Sea Lion Trust developed educational outreach material to promote education on the New Zealand sea lion, with limited success.
Using a public survey and interviews with stakeholders and educators, this project aimed to identify possible improvements to educational strategies and assess public knowledge and perception regarding the sea lion. Based on our findings, we proposed that DOC and New Zealand Sea Lion Trust implement interactive educational programs in primary schools, develop a Facebook page, publish a research blog, post new beach signs, redesign their sea lion pamphlet, and create an activities fair station.
A species at risk: Raising awareness about the critically endangered Maui's dolphin
By Mary-Lee Barboza, Kyle Foster, Jesse Lehmen, Samantha Lowe, 2013-14
Abstract: DOC's protection of the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin depends heavily upon citizens reporting sightings. Our surveys established that lack of knowledge about the dolphin prevents all but 5% of residents from reporting sightings. To correct this deficiency, we drew on those findings to design improved educational materials and a conceptual smartphone application design.
To promote Maui’s dolphin and DOC’s reporting services we produced these resources and evaluated them at Seaweek in Auckland: